A1307

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatalities have occurred on the A1307 in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatalities resulting from personal injury road accidents reported to the police on the A1307 in each of the last 10 years is given in table.
	
		
			  Fatalities on the A1307: 1996-2005 
			  Year of accident  Fatalities 
			 1996 4 
			 1997 1 
			 1998 2 
			 1999 5 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 4 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 1 
			 2005 2

Aviation

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of people who took  (a) no,  (b) one,  (c) two,  (d) three,  (e) four and  (f) five or more flights to (i) UK, (ii) European and (iii) worldwide destinations in each of the years from 1990 to 2005, broken down by (A) income, (B) class, (C) sex and (D) education level achieved.

Gillian Merron: Tables which show the number of flights in percentage terms taken by adults in Great Britain over the last three years, based on the British Social Attitudes Survey has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Foreign Hauliers

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals  (a) to charge foreign hauliers for the use of UK roads an amount equivalent to the domestic vehicle duties paid by UK hauliers and  (b) to pre-register foreign hauliers entering the UK.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	We are taking forward plans for distance-based lorry charging as part of our wider work on national road pricing. Road pricing has the potential to reflect the wider costs that lorries impose in the UK, especially congestion costs.
	The industry through their representatives at the Road Haulage Industry Task Group proposed the pre-registration of foreign hauliers entering the UK. The Government is currently considering the industry's proposals.

Halliburton

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many private finance initiative and public-private partnership contracts with his Department and its agencies were won by Halliburton or its subsidiaries since 1997; what the terms were of each contract; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Highways Agency awarded the following PFI contracts to the Road Management Services consortium consisting of AMEC, Alfred McAlpine, Dragados and Halliburton.
	
		
			  Name of contract  Date of award  Terms of contract 
			 A1 Darrington to Dishforth 2003 HA Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) 
			 A13 Thames Gateway 2000(1) HA Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) 
			 (1) The Highways Agency awarded the A13 contract on 2 April 2000, the contract was subsequently novated to Transport for London on 3 July 2000. 
		
	
	A DBFO briefing pack is available from the Highways Agency website (http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/2748.aspx).

Highways Agency

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) original estimated cost and  (b) most recent cost estimate is of (i) each Highways Agency scheme in the Targeted Programme of Improvements and (ii) each local authority scheme approved through the local transport plans.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	For (i) Highways Agency schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements, I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 6 November 2006,  Official Report, column 685W, to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) which referred to an answer given on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 746W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, South (Ms Butler).
	The Secretary of State has asked the Mike Nicholas, Chairman of the Nicholas Group, to review the Highways Agency approach to cost estimating and project management, and to make recommendations, including on how the agency should best assess, monitor and report on risks to its cost estimates. He will report shortly.
	For (ii) local authority schemes, I have placed a table in the Library of the House. The table provides the latest approved departmental contribution, which is the most reliable indication of the final cost to the Department.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains of each train company were cancelled in the last 12 months; how many of those trains were cancelled  (a) before reaching their final destination and  (b) before departure; and what the reason was for each cancellation.

Tom Harris: Train running data for the Rail Network as a whole is collected and processed by Network Rail. The Department holds information on total passenger train cancellations broken down by franchise but not by the reason for each cancellation.
	The following table shows the total cancellations suffered by each franchised train operator for the year to 19 August 2006, the most recent available figures. These figures include trains that were cancelled both before departure and before reaching their final destination. The Department does not hold information on the breakdown between trains that are cancelled and those that are part-cancelled.
	
		
			  Cancellation data for the year running to 19 August 2006 
			  Franchise operator  Total cancellations  Trains planned to run 
			 TPE 746 83,325 
			 One 8,171 575,637 
			 Northern 6,369 628,554 
			 FCC 4,994 351,966 
			 GNER 568 40,612 
			 Merseyrail 2,102 205,199 
			 VWC 638 70,246 
			 Central 7,955 102,873 
			 VXC 650 61,532 
			 Arriva 2,710 281,630 
			 Chiltern 1,016 102,873 
			 Silverlink 3,092 217,451 
			 c2c 1,422 109,699 
			 southeastern 5,502 570,880 
			 Gatwick 489 56,282 
			 Southern 5,783 633,158 
			 SWT 5,677 570,587 
			 FGW 4,798 221,124 
			 MML 395 44,366

Departmental Research and Development

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of his Department's research and development budget has been spent on research establishments based in  (a) Wales,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland and  (d) Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the Research Councils' total expenditure on all establishments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and their expenditure on their Institutes in each of the last five years. All figures are in £000.
	
		
			  Research Councils UK regional spend 
			  £000 
			  FY  England  Scotland  Wales  Northern Ireland  Overseas  International subscriptions  Central expenditure 
			  2005-06 1,801,696 219,744 48,207 10,275 23,881 233,005 141,447 
			  Of which:
			 Spent in Research Council Institutes 671,444 61,952 8,538 1,378 21,049 — — 
			 
			  2004-05 1,532,191 200,685 42,241 8,200 17,672 228,975 99,848 
			  Of which:
			 Spent in Research Council Institutes 570,223 57,301 7,012 1,174 15,008 — — 
			 
			  2003-04 1,445,272 178,188 40,020 6,308 13,545 211,215 114,040 
			  Of which:
			 Spent in Research Council Institutes 584,901 53,542 6,676 608 12,959 — — 
			 
			  2002-03 1,413,592 161,718 44,959 5,598 12,790 142,654 104,287 
			  Of which:
			 Spent in Research Council Institutes 511,541 43,367 7,003 569 12,664 — — 
			 
			  2001-02 1,332,128 162,134 39,787 8,709 13,985 116,453 93,469 
			  Of which:
			 Spent in Research Council Institutes 500,068 43,952 5,581 592 13,824 — — 
			  Note:  Figures for FY 2005-06 are provisional, and includes, for the first time, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which was created on 1 April 2005.

Farepak

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure the administrator costs for Farepak are kept to a minimum.

Ian McCartney: I do appreciate the concerns that people have regarding the costs of insolvency proceedings, but insolvency legislation attempts to leave the matter of the practitioner's remuneration to the creditors, as they have most interest in the matter.
	In my dealings with the Administrators—who have been most helpful in providing information and advise to the Family Fund and myself. At those meetings I have noted how they have tried to keep their costs to a minimum so that as much money as possible can be returned to Farepak customers.
	It is not possible for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to intervene in determining the amount of the administrator's remuneration. The basis on which an administrator's remuneration may be calculated is set out in the Insolvency Rules 1986.
	It is also possible for the court to reduce the amount of remuneration where creditors claim that it is excessive.

Nuclear Waste

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sites in the UK are being considered for the storage of nuclear waste.

Malcolm Wicks: Prior to final disposal, nuclear waste needs to be stored on an interim basis. Interim storage occurs on all NDA and British Energy sites. The search for a final disposal repository location has not yet begun and there are no sites currently under consideration.
	On 25 October 2006 the UK Government and Devolved Administrations responded to the report published on 31 July 2006 by the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM). The Government accepted that geological disposal coupled with safe and secure interim storage is the best way forward for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive wastes. The Government also confirmed it is supportive of exploring an approach based on voluntarism (that is, willingness to participate) and partnership with local communities.

Supply2.gov.uk

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many business organisations attended the Supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 25 October 2006 sponsored by South East England Development Agency; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(2)  how many business organisations attended the Supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 26 October 2006 sponsored by East of England Development Agency; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(3)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 20 September 2006 sponsored by One North East; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(4)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 21 September 2006 sponsored by North West Development Agency; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(5)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 5 October 2006 sponsored by Advantage West Midlands; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(6)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 10 October 2006 sponsored by London Development Agency; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(7)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow sponsored by Yorkshire Forward on 17 October 2006; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(8)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 18 October 2006 sponsored by the East Midlands Development Agency; and what the total cost was of running the event;
	(9)  how many business organisations attended the supply2.gov.uk roadshow on 19 October 2006 sponsored by Yorkshire Forward; and what the total cost was of running the event.

Margaret Hodge: The number of business organisations who attended each individual road show was as follows:
	
		
			  Region  Date  Attendees 
			 North East 20 September 26 
			 North West 21 September 63 
			 South West(1) 4 October 92 
			 West Midlands 5 October 128 
			 London 10 October 137 
			 East Midlands 18 October 158 
			 Yorkshire 19 October 71 
			 South East 25 October 87 
			 East England 26 October 167 
			 (1) Although a question was not raised asking for details of the roadshow that occurred in the South West, we have included this. 
		
	
	The event in Hull (PQ 2006/182) on 17 October was not one of the official series of www.supply2.gov.uk roadshows and therefore we have not included details of this. Although this event was advertised in the www.supply2.gov.uk promotion material, this was actually a "Selling to the public sector" event arranged by Business Link Humber and the Yorkshire and Humberside Development Agency.
	The total cost of the support provided by the DTI was £7,500. BDP Solutions, the service provider for www.supply2.gov.uk, contributed the remainder of the costs.

Civil Servants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many civil servants on  (a) permanent and  (b) temporary contracts have (i) been recruited and (ii) left his Department and each of its agencies in each year since May 2001.

Barry Gardiner: The following tables give the information requested.
	
		
			  Recruitment 
			2001-02( 1)  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07( 2) 
			 DEFRA Perm 915 683 617 482 445 154 
			  Temp 1,565 533 370 517 400 114 
			 CEFAS(3) Perm 37 69 58 42 40 51 
			  Temp 11 11 14 0 3 1 
			 CSL(4) Perm n/a n/a n/a n/a 33 21 
			  Temp n/a n/a n/a n/a 102 74 
			 GDS(5) Perm — — — — 7 4 
			  Temp — — — — 2 3 
			 MFA(6) Perm — — — — 10 3 
			  Temp — — — — 3 2 
			 PSD Perm 9 6 9 19 12 0 
			  Temp 8 5 9 11 7 3 
			 RPA Perm 3,313 247 732 41 194 355 
			  Temp 665 524 393 551 534 149 
			 SVS(7) Perm — — — — 65 76 
			  Temp — — — — 138 48 
			 VLA Perm 177 168 102 77 92 54 
			  Temp 42 70 44 30 34 32 
			 VMD Perm 17 11 20 7 14 2 
			  Temp 1 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Leavers (including transfers to other Government Departments) 
			2001-02( 1)  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07( 2) 
			 DEFRA Perm 510 661 549 516 465 378 
			  Temp 1,577 857 350 300 289 325 
			 CEFAS(3) All staff 47 63 55 63 57 42 
			 CSL(4) Perm n/a n/a n/a n/a 62 35 
			  Temp n/a n/a n/a n/a 59 73 
			 GDS(5) Perm — — — — 0 2 
			  Temp — — — — 0 2 
			 MFA(6) Perm — — — — 0 7 
			  Temp — — — — 0 4 
			 PSD Perm 11 7 6 7 11 9 
			  Temp 7 4 7 5 5 4 
			 RPA Perm 326 348 468 452 618 193 
			  Temp 307 449 341 312 469 257 
			 SVS(7) Perm — — — — 62 39 
			  Temp — — — — 77 61 
			 VLA Perm 129 119 125 116 101 64 
			  Temp 3 34 34 21 16 10 
			 VMD Perm 10 5 11 4 0 3 
			  Temp 1 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (1) 2001-02 covers the period from 8 June 2001, when DEFRA was created, to 31 March 2002 (except the Rural Payments Agency, where the data cover the period from 1 April 2001). (2) 2006-07 covers the period from 1 April to 31 October 2006. (3) Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) figures cover calendar years. (4) Central Science Laboratory (CSL) figures before April 2005 not available. (5) The Government Decontamination Service (GDS) was created on 1 October 2005. (6) The Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA) was created on 1 October 2005. (7) The State Veterinary Service (SVS) was created on 1 April 2005.

Consultants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which external consultants were used by  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies in relation to (i) private finance initiatives and (ii) public-private partnerships in 2005-06; and what the (A) nature and (B) cost of the work was in each case.

Barry Gardiner: Information about the external consultants used by the Department and its agencies in 2005-06 to advise on Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is set out in the following table. Details of the companies with whom PFI and PPP deals themselves have been agreed and are available on Partnerships UK's (PUK) website.
	
		
			  Agency  Consultant  Nature of work  Cost (£) 
			  PFI
			 DEFRA Davis Langdon and Everest Cambridge Eastbrook PFI contract—financial advice 1,500 
			 DEFRA Eversheds Cambridge Eastbrook PFI contract—legal advice 2,500 
			 DEFRA Partnerships UK Nottingham County Council and Cornwall County Council Waste PFI: Commercial Negotiation Support for Standardisation of PFI Contracts 3 (SoPCS) work 191,722 
			 DEFRA Partnerships UK Formal training of DEFRA staff: 5,604 
			   Introduction to the Project Review Group's (PRG) waste PFI assessment criteria  
			 DEFRA Partnerships UK Generic PFI Work: Interpretation and adaptation of HM Treasury's generic PFI Value for Money (VfM) Stage 2 tool to the Waste PFI sector 14,666 
			 DEFRA Jacobs UK Ltd. Generic Waste PFI: Review of Local Authority Waste Disposal Companies and their role in future procurement 759 
			 DEFRA Partnerships UK Generic PFI Work: Interpretation and adaptation of HM Treasury's generic PFI Value for Money (VfM) Stage 2 tool to the Waste PFI sector 2,371 
			 DEFRA RPS Group Plc. DEFRA PFI related research on Refuse Derived Fuel 11,750 
			 DEFRA Deloitte M C S Ltd. Review of Dorset Waste PFI Outline Business Case 16,433 
			 DEFRA KPMG Consultancy on Waste PFI Projects 70,000 
			 DEFRA Eunomia Research and Consulting Ltd. Consultancy on Waste PFI Projects 18,019 
			 DEFRA Jacobs UK Ltd. Generic Waste PFI: Benchmarking of Waste PFI Infrastructure management costs 28,130 
			 DEFRA KPMG Waste PFI: Review and Financial Assessment of Cheshire County Council Waste PFI Outline Business Case 24,239 
			 DEFRA Public Private Partnership Programme Consultancy on Waste PFI Projects 17,827 
			 DEFRA Juniper Consultancy Services Ltd. Generic Waste PFI: Energy from Waste and the Review of Renewable Obligations Certificates: Discussion Paper 2,115 
			 
			  PPP
			 British Waterways Nabarro Nathanson Gloucester Quays—Legal Advice 72,505 
			 British Waterways Ernst and Young Gloucester Quays—Financial Advice 33,040 
			 Environment Agency Partnerships UK Development of a commercialisation strategy. 25,000

Flooding

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent  (a) in England and  (b) in the Ouse catchment area on flood protection and alleviation measures by (i) the Government and (ii) City of York council in 2005-06; and what estimate he has made of the likely expenditure in 2006-07.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA funds most of the Environment Agency's (EA) flood-related work and grant aids individual capital improvement projects undertaken by local authorities and, in low-lying areas, internal drainage boards. The programme to manage risk is driven by these operating authorities; DEFRA does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on what specific projects to undertake.
	Local authority expenditure on flood risk management (including levies to the EA and internal drainage boards) is largely supported by the local government funding mechanisms operated by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
	Table 1 shows total central and local government expenditure on flood protection and alleviation measures in  (a) England and  (b) the Ouse catchment area. This includes expenditure on flood defences, flood warning and research and development, but excludes expenditure on measures primarily to reduce risk of coastal erosion (which can also sometimes help reduce flood risk).
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  £ million 
			   (a) England  
			   DEFRA grant and other expenditure  Local authority expenditure  (b)Ouse catchment( 1) 
			 2005-06 449.2 73.7 6.7 
			 2006-07(2) 436.6 71.8 5.8 
			 1 Defined as EA expenditure within the Ouse catchment area between the confluence with the River Ure and the confluence with the River Derwent. DEFRA grant to local authorities and/or internal drainage boards within the Ouse catchment area, if any, could not be determined without incurring disproportionate cost. 2 Forecast. 
		
	
	Table 2 shows spend by City of York council on their flood defence measures and special levies to internal drainage boards. This information was obtained from returns provided by the council to DCLG.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  £ million 
			   Flood defence revenue expenditure  Internal drainage board special levies 
			 2005-06 0.4 0.5 
			 2006-07 0.1 0.5 
		
	
	The EA has undertaken significant works within the Ouse catchment area to repair and improve flood defences since the floods of autumn 2000. These include repairs to defences in York and Selby (including the Foss Barrier) totalling in excess of £1 million and improvements to flood defences in Selby, due to be completed in 2008 at a cost of some £14 million.

Flooding

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much  (a) capital and  (b) revenue funding was (i) allocated and (ii) spent on flood relief in each financial year since 2001-02 in 2006-07 prices.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA has overall policy responsibility for flood risk management in England, funds most of the Environment Agency (EA)'s flood related work and grant aids individual capital improvement projects undertaken by local authorities (LAs) and internal drainage boards (IDBs). The programme to manage risk is driven by these operating authorities; DEFRA does not carry out works, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake.
	The following table shows DEFRA initial funding allocations for flood risk management at the start of each year, together with outturns on EA spend and DEFRA funding to LAs and IDBs. The figures have been converted to approximate equivalents at today's prices using the public works non road inflation index published by the Department of Trade and Industry, with 2006-07 as the base year.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Initial allocation at start of year  Spend outturn at end of year 
			   DEFRA funding to EA (grant in aid from 2004-05 onwards)  DEFRA capital funding to LAs and IDBs  EA spend  DEFRA capital funding to LAs/IDBs 
			   Rev.  Cap.  Cap.  Rev.  Cap.  Var.  Cap. 
			 2001-02 10.4 47.6 12.3 181.1 146.7 -12.9 7.0 
			 2002-03 4.3 65.3 14.4 180.6 176.4 17.9 14.7 
			 2003-04 5.3 67.6 13.0 193.5 182.0 -0.2 9.1 
			 2004-05 284.6 76.0 14.0 229.6 183.2 -15.3 9.6 
			 2005-06 351.8 101.9 14.2 272.1 247.2 17.5 9.8 
			 2006-07 239.0 189.0 15.7 — — — — 
		
	
	EA spend is funded from sources additional to DEFRA grant, including levies on LAs, charges and contributions from beneficiaries but only DEFRA initial allocations have been shown in the table. However, the column under EA spend headed "Var." indicates the match between overall resources available to the EA and spend in each year, being the difference between spend and income with a negative indicating expenditure less than income for the year. These variances are reflected in changes in the balances of funds carried forward by EA from one year to the next. Prior to 2004-05 the primary EA income sources were grant from DEFRA for specific projects and levies on LAs. Both forms of funding were largely replaced by grant in aid from DEFRA from 2004-05 onwards.
	The revenue/capital split of DEFRA initial allocations for EA in 2004-05 and 2005-06 as shown was based on a narrow definition of capital spend, restricted to spend creating fixed assets in accounting terms. They understate the actual amount allocated by DEFRA for capital improvement measures. The definition to be used from 2006-07 onwards will better reflect spend on capital projects to construct new and improved defences regardless of whether a capital asset has been created in accounting terms. The figures for EA capital spend in the table use the latter definition in all years.
	The table does not include DEFRA funding for LA capital coast protection projects which protect against coastal erosion and also often provide significant benefits in terms of reducing flood risk from the sea. In 2006-07 a higher proportion of capital funding than in 2005-06 was directed to LA coast protection projects in accordance with the DEFRA priority scoring system with a commensurate reduction in capital funding for the Environment Agency in 2006-07.
	Local authorities incur further revenue spend on levies to EA and IDBs and their own spend and much of this is supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government but not shown in the table.

Flooding

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) capital and  (b) revenue expenditure on flood and coastal defences from (i) his Department and (ii) the Environment Agency there has been in each year from 1997-98; and what the forecast level of such expenditure is for 2007-08.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England, funds most of the Environment Agency's (EA) flood related work and grant aids individual capital improvement projects undertaken by local authorities (LAs) and internal drainage boards (IDBs). The programme to manage risk is driven by these operating authorities; DEFRA does not carry out works, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake.
	The following table shows:
	(i) DEFRA funding to LAs and IDBs for capital improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk (direct grant and, for LAs prior to 2006-07, a mixture of direct grant and Supported Capital Expenditure (Revenue))
	(ii) spend by the EA in England on measures to manage flood risk, including expenditure on new and improved defences, maintenance, flood warning, flood risk mapping etcetera. Some EA spend is funded from sources other than DEFRA Grant in Aid.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   (i) DEFRA funding to LAs/IDBs  (ii) Environment Agency spend 
			   Capital  Capital  Revenue 
			 1997-98 37.9 127.3 124.0 
			 1998-99 39.2 112.9 131.0 
			 1999-2000 37.4 116.5 141.2 
			 2000-01 24.7 112.2 154.9 
			 2001-02 26.7 135.5 167.3 
			 2002-03 48.7 164.9 168.8 
			 2003-04 49.0 172.4 183.3 
			 2004-05 45.8 176.0 220.6 
			 2005-06 73.4 242.6 267.1 
			 2006-07 (forecast) 84.4 208.0 260.0 
		
	
	I hope to announce allocations for 2007-08 shortly.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that  (a) his Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies for which he is responsible are taking steps to meet the requirements of the forthcoming duty on public bodies (i) to end unlawful discrimination and harassment and (ii) to promote equality between women and men.

Barry Gardiner: The Department has developed a draft Joint Equality Scheme to address the requirements of equalities legislation. In order to take steps to meet the requirements of the forthcoming duty, DEFRA's Joint Scheme which currently addresses both disability and race legislation, will now be focused on the new Gender Equality Duties. Work arising from this new legislation will be incorporated into the Department's Joint Equality scheme.
	This Scheme will cover core-DEFRA and those of its Executive Agencies who have elected to be included. NDPB's are set up by statute and are independent of the Department. Although DEFRA will provide guidance and advice on equality legislation it does not hold direct responsibility for them in meeting the requirements of the forthcoming duty.
	DEFRA already has established policies to address unlawful discrimination, bullying and harassment within the Department together with an Equal Opportunities policy that covers actions to promote equality between men and women.
	The Department will incorporate all its current policies relating to Gender equality legislation into its Joint Equality Scheme.

Protection of Animals Act

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions have been brought under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in the last 30 years; and how many such prosecutions were in relation to the use of fireworks.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 22 November 2006
	I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested, taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants found guilty at all courts for cruelty to animals under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, in England and Wales for the years 1980-2005 are provided in the following table. Data at this level of detail for years prior to 1980 are not available. It is not possible to identify which convictions were related to fireworks as the individual circumstances of these offences are not centrally collected.
	
		
			  Number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts and convicted at all courts under the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 England and Wales, 1980-2005( 1) 
			  Code 108/02  Convictions 
			 1980 720 
			 1981 719 
			 1982 728 
			 1983 747 
			 1984 764 
			 1985 848 
			 1986 875 
			 1987 889 
			 1988 877 
			 1989 895 
			 1990 968 
			 1991 862 
			 1992 926 
			 1993 861 
			 1994 731 
			 1995 754 
			 1996 764 
			 1997 867 
			 1998 889 
			 1999 828 
			 2000 861 
			 2001 754 
			 2002 768 
			 2003 783 
			 2004 787 
			 2005 843 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Water Bills

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average domestic water bill (including sewerage) in England was in each year since 1996-97.

Ian Pearson: Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewerage industry in England and Wales. In December 2004, it set price limits for the period 2005-10.
	The following table sets out the average household water and sewerage bill for all household customers, both metered and unmetered, in England and Wales since 1996-97 (in today's prices). As some water companies' boundaries include customers in both England and Wales average bills tabulated have been provided for both countries.
	Individual bills can be more or less than the average. More information can be found in Ofwat's "Water and sewerage charges 2006-07 report" which is available on their website at:
	http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/tariff_report06.pdf/$FILE/tariff_report06.pdf.
	
		
			  Average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales 
			   Amount (£)( 1) 
			 1996-97 285 
			 1997-98 286 
			 1998-99 288 
			 1999-2000 291 
			 2000-01 256 
			 2001-02 253 
			 2002-03 254 
			 2003-04 256 
			 2004-05 263 
			 2005-06 286 
			 2006-07 294 
			 (1) Today's prices.  Note: Bills for 2005-06 and 2006-07 are estimates based on provisional and forecast data provided by each company, for the years ending 31 March.

Water/Sewerage Systems

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much  (a) carbon dioxide and  (b) carbon equivalent including other gases was emitted from water treatment and sewerage systems in (i) 1990, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2005, broken down by sewerage company region.

Ian Pearson: The following table shows the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from treatment of waste water as recorded in the 2004 Greenhouse Gas Inventory. More detailed data showing emissions from each sewerage company region are not yet available.
	
		
			  GHG emissions from treatment of waste water 1990-2005 
			   GHG emissions (million tonnes carbon equivalent) 
			 1990 1.743 
			 1991 1.689 
			 1992 1.773 
			 1993 1.761 
			 1994 1.798 
			 1995 1.774 
			 1996 1.829 
			 1997 1.969 
			 1998 1.975 
			 1999 1.950 
			 2000 1.964 
			 2001 2.006 
			 2002 2.003 
			 2003 2.022 
			 2004 2.009

Development Assistance

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much development assistance which was not provided to contribute to a reduction in poverty has been provided to British overseas territories in each of the last three financial years under section 2 of the International Development Act 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID expenditure for the Overseas Territories for the last three financial years is:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2005-06 31.59 
			 2004-05 33.21 
			 2003-04 37.80 
		
	
	This largely comprises budgetary and development aid for the three poorest Territories, St. Helena, Montserrat and Pitcairn. It also includes modest development assistance for Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands and emergency assistance for Cayman following hurricane Ivan in 2004. In addition to this bilateral assistance, the expenditure includes support through a number of regional programmes to help all of the Overseas Territories address a range of common issues: disaster management, HIV/AIDS, child protection, the environment and governance.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work  (a) in his Department and  (b) for non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies for which his Department is responsible are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies.

Gareth Thomas: All DFID contracts include as part of their general conditions the following clauses:
	"12. Discrimination
	12.1 The Consultant shall not unlawfully discriminate within the meaning and scope of the provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976, the Sex Discrimination Acts 1975 and 1986, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as revised, amended or supplemented from time to time) or as prohibited by the laws of the place of the performance of any of the Services.
	12.2 The Consultant shall take all reasonable steps to secure that the Consultant's Personnel do not unlawfully discriminate as set out in Clause 12.1."
	Additionally, our Invitation to Tender instructions detail DFID values including our commitment to diversity, and state that we wish to work with suppliers who embrace these values and demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility.
	From 6 April 2007, private sector organisations, when carrying out functions of a public nature on behalf of public authorities, will be required to comply with the general gender equality duty which is to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and harassment and promote equality of opportunity between women and men. We will refer to the Equal Opportunity Commissions (EOC) Code of Practice of the Gender Equality Duty and any further EOC guidance when available.

HIV/AIDS

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he plans to take in response to the recent joint United Nations and World Health Organisation report on HIV; and what representations he plans to make to those countries which have seen the greatest recent  (a) increase and  (b) decrease in cases of HIV.

Gareth Thomas: The recent UNAIDS/WHO AIDS epidemic update report (December 2006) describes the challenge that we face in reversing the spread of HIV. 39.5 million people are living with HIV, 4.3 million were newly infected and 2.9 million people died from AIDS in 2006. There is evidence of declines in HIV prevalence in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, but of marked increases in HIV prevalence in East and Central Asia, and in Eastern Europe.
	The difference in prevalence trends within countries and regions underlines the importance of supporting country-specific responses to HIV. This is why DFID works closely with national governments and with multilateral and bilateral partners to support country-led HIV responses. For example, in Zimbabwe, where prevalence rates have fallen, DFID has recently committed £20 million over four years to broaden the delivery of HIV treatment services to currently un-served areas, and a further £25 million over five years to keep up prevention efforts, including to increase access to family planning services. In the Ukraine, where annual HIV diagnoses have more than doubled since 2000, and where the epidemic is concentrated primarily in most-at-risk populations, DFID is implementing projects that focus on men who have sex with men and assist in the national implementation of harm reduction interventions for injecting drug users.
	We will continue to work to support the prioritiesset out by countries, within the context of a comprehensive response to AIDS, as set out in "Taking Action: the UK's strategy for tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world". This commits £1.5 billion between 2005 and 2008 to support AIDS related activities, of which £150 million will be used to meet the needs of children affected by AIDS. We also continue to work towards achieving the target of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.

HIV/AIDS

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the  (a) availability of and  (b) access to(i) Kaletra and (ii) Viread in (A) sub-Saharan Africa, (B) Central Asia and (C) Latin America; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: Access to the antiretroviralmedications "Kaletra" (lopinavir/ritonavir) and "Viread" (tenofovir) continues to be restricted even though both products are recommended in the World Health Organization's 2006 guidelines on adult antiretroviral treatment in resource-limited settings.
	A heat stable version of "Kaletra", branded as "Aluvia" to prevent product diversion, awaits registration in sub-Saharan African countries. "Aluvia" was licensed in the European Union this year. The manufacturer (Abbott) has stated that EU approval is required before the drug can be registered by regulatory agencies in sub-Saharan Africa.
	"Aluvia" will be offered at $500 a year in Africa and other least developed countries and at $2,200 in central Asia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and China. It will also be offered at $2,200 in Central and Latin America (excluding Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela). No Caribbean country apart from Jamaica is currently eligible for a discounted price.
	"Aluvia" has also been submitted for registration in South Africa. The registration status of "Aluvia" in least-developed countries remains unclear, although the manufacturer states that license applications have been made in an unspecified number of countries.
	According to the World Health Organisation "Kaletra" was registered in 49 of the 114 countries eligible for discounted prices in October 2006.
	Delays in registration and a lack of capacity on the part of the manufacturer have restricted the availability of "Viread" in all regions. A licensing applicationfor "Viread" was submitted to the South African Medicines Control Council by its manufacturer Gilead Sciences in November 2005. "Viread" was registered in only 13 of the 97 countries designated as eligible by Gilead in June 2006.
	Gilead has now concluded voluntary licensing agreements with five Indian manufacturers that will allow the drug to be produced at lower prices and exported to sub-Saharan Africa and other least developed countries (including all central Asian states except Kazakhstan) and to the Caribbean and Central America (excluding El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama), and to Guyana, Surinam and Bolivia in Latin America. The current price set for these countries is $200 a year.
	The Department for International Development will continue to work with the pharmaceutical industry to achieve greater transparency in pricing and greater standardisation of pricing offers to low and middle-income countries. Where products are not patented or registered by the patent holder, there is no obstacle to the registration of generic versions of those products, and import of such generic versions does not require the importing government to issue a compulsory licence.

Latin America

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid was given to countries in Latin America in each year since 2000, broken down by country.

Gareth Thomas: DFID bilateral aid for Latin America since 2000-01 is shown in the table:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Destination name  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Argentine Republic 7,567 248 — — — — 
			 Bolivia 7,509,130 12,455,178 9,267,954 7,056,854 5,401,807 3,103,179 
			 Brazil 6,519,084 6,863,875 9,917,080 6,910,154 5,027,700 2,387,322 
			 Chile 8 95,688 145,359 351,152 436,715 790,121 
			 Colombia 1,730,155 933,784 600,043 350,886 541,016 381,918 
			 Costa Rica 182,649 115,527 70,200 121,541 17,057 5,957 
			 Cuba 223,184 345,880 484,514 153,626 184,296 -10,044 
			 Ecuador 540,702 275,016 363,430 192,595 158,797 217,204 
			 El Salvador 1,820,249 430,527 338,025 106,956 74,627 5,493 
			 Guatemala 318,577 419,549 289,340 236,938 196,060 85,483 
			 Haiti 60,562 130,395 125,165 129,747 2,027,103 1,282,616 
			 Honduras 1,373,493 1,219,649 1,180,571 910,066 959,736 1,301,741 
			 Mexico 1,538,577 511,800 560,844 70,791 96,871 12,186 
			 Nicaragua 636,107 612,847 1,386,098 1,292,542 2,592,966 4,160,450 
			 Panama 233,543 154,872 34,908 — — — 
			 Paraguay 178,888 93,626 65,728 — 4,860 2,772 
			 Peru 4,158,829 7,998,299 3,225,252 2,807,442 3,990,316 1,603,963 
			 Venezuela 36,311 — — — — — 
			 Total 27,067,615 32,656,757 28,054,511 20,691,292 21,709,927 15,330,360 
		
	
	This information as well as details of aid from other UK official sources, is available in Table 12.2 of the Statistics for International Development (SID) report. SID can be accessed under the publications section of the DFID website.
	In addition to bilateral aid, the UK makes contributions to the EC, the World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. Multilateral shares are reported by calendar year, and the latest information available is for 2004. A breakdown of the UK's contributions by country are given as follows.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Costa Rica 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.9 
			 Cuba 1.2 1.7 0.7 0.5 0.7 
			 El Salvador 2.3 2.0 2.0 2.5 2.4 
			 Guatemala 3.4 2.6 3.7 2.5 2.7 
			 Haiti 2.1 2.6 1.6 1.0 4.8 
			 Honduras 5.9 8.1 1.8 10.4 6.9 
			 Mexico 1.0 3.0 1.2 1.0 1.9 
			 Nicaragua 9.2 8.6 3.3 12.5 8.0 
			 Panama 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.9 
			 Argentine Republic 3.3 15.7 0.6 0.6 1.0 
			 Bolivia 7.9 10.6 0.8 14.4 5.6 
			 Brazil 8.9 14.2 7.6 6.8 6.1 
			 Chile 1.0 1.2 0.4 0.8 1.8 
			 Columbia 2.4 2.1 1.8 2.5 4.6 
			 Ecuador 1.2 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.8 
			 Paraguay 0.8 1.0 1.0 0.4 0.6 
			 Peru 4.0 3.1 2.3 3.5 2.2 
			 Uruguay 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 1.1 
			 Venezuela 1.5 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.5 
			 Totals 57.4 79.3 31.7 62.7 55.5

Latin America

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Department's offices in Latin America will be maintained; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID plans to maintain its Latin American offices during the current spending review period. Any decisions about office arrangements beyond 2008-09 in Latin America and elsewhere, will be taken in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review next year.

Latin America

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether bilateral aid to Latin America will continue in its existing  (a) form and  (b) scale over the next three years.

Gareth Thomas: DFID's only bilateral country programme in Latin America is to Nicaragua—the only low-income country on the continent. The programme budget for Nicaragua is £4 million in each of 2006-07 and 2007-08. Decisions about the form and scale of the Nicaraguan programme from 2008-09 will be taken in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review next year.

Palestinian Territories

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding has been provided by  (a) the UK Government and  (b) other members of the Quartet to the Palestinian Territories through the Temporary International Mechanism in each month since its establishment.

Hilary Benn: The UK has so far contributed£9 million to the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM). £3 million was provided in August 2006 for the purchase of health supplies. £3 million was paid in allowances to the poorest PA workers in November 2006. £3 million was provided for essential operating, maintenance and repair costs for water, sanitation and electricity services in November 2006. Substantial funding through the TIM has also been provided by the European Community and EU member states. Other Quartet members have not yet contributed.
	In total, approximately £117 million in EU funding is expected to be disbursed through the TIM by the end of 2006. Monthly expenditure through the TIM for the period between July and October 2006 was as follows:
	
		
			  € million 
			   Non-salary recurrent costs  Emergency relief  Social allowances  Total 
			 July — 0.625 — 0.625 
			 August — 0.625 4.3 4.925 
			 September — 6.125 31.7 37.825 
			 October 2.6 0.625 19.2 22.425

Palestinian Territories

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the possibility that tax monies currently withheld by Israel could be paid to the Palestinians through the Temporary International Mechanism.

Hilary Benn: So far Israel has not paid outstanding Palestinian clearance revenues through the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM). According to International Monetary Fund reporting Israel has used some clearance revenues to pay Palestinian utility bills owed to Israeli state companies. We understand that this was agreed to by the Palestinian Authorities. Israel has also offered to use the Palestinian clearance revenues to procure health supplies. However, we understand that this was not accepted by the Palestinian presidency as they objected to Israel dictating how their revenues were spent.

Palestinian Territories

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the likely duration of the Temporary International Mechanism; and when he expects full financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority to be resumed.

Hilary Benn: The Quartet, in its statement of20 September, extended the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) until the end of 2006. Should a Palestinian Government with a platform based onthe Quartet's principles be formed, the EU and other donors are likely to seek to resume financial assistance as soon as possible. In the meantime the humanitarian case for direct assistance to the Palestinian people remains and there is a need for mechanisms to deliver this such as the TIM. A decision on whether further to extend the TIM is likely before the end of the year.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of the A9 road to Jaffna on the delivery of food aid in Sri Lanka; and what representations he has made regarding reopening the road.

Gareth Thomas: The British Government have followed developments closely since the A9 road to Jaffna closed in mid August. British officials visited Jaffna in October and November to see at first hand the impact of the road closures. We maintain close contact with those with a presence in Jaffna peninsula. There are food shortages and rising food prices. The UK will continue to monitor the situation closely.
	The British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka has raised with the government the need to ensure that sufficient supplies reach the people of Jaffna. We fully support the statement by the co-chairs of the peace process (EU, Japan, Norway, US) that there should be an immediate, permanent and unconditional opening of the sea and road routes for humanitarian convoys of essential supplies.

Domestic Violence

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what action she is taking to ensure a more integrated and strategic approach to tackling domestic violence.

Meg Munn: The Government have developed an integrated and strategic approach to this issue, at the heart of which is the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence, of which I am a member.
	As an Inter-Ministerial Group, which brings together a wide range of Departments, we provide high-level leadership and accountability to drive this important work forward, and oversee the development of the National Delivery Plan, which has provided a clear framework for delivery across Government in a joined-up and strategic way.
	The Plan underpins the Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme, which has been designed to address the high attrition rates for domestic violence by bringing more offenders to justice, and putting the safety of victims at the heart of the process. We have also strengthened measures to help victims by rolling out Independent Domestic Violence Advisors across all specialist domestic violence courts and have allocated funding to all areas to provide extra support.

Domestic Violence

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what discussions she has had with ministerial colleagues on improving the services offered to women seeking refuge from domestic violence.

Meg Munn: As Deputy Minister for Women and Equality, I sit on the Inter-Ministerial Group for Domestic Violence, which performance-managesthe cross-Government National Domestic Violence Delivery Plan by reviewing progress at quarterly meetings. This is the mechanism for improving the services offered to women seeking refuge from domestic violence nationally.
	A substantially revised domestic violence Best Value Performance Indicator for local authorities will help assess overall provision and effectiveness of local authority services designed to help victims of domestic violence.

Bangladesh

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the level of unrest related to the general elections in Bangladesh; what action her Department is taking  (a) to support the UN Envoy to that country and  (b) to ensure that the elections are free and fair; and which (i) UK and (ii) international observers she expects to be present at those elections.

Kim Howells: Elections are scheduled for January 2007 in Bangladesh. It is vital for the future of Bangladesh that these elections are seen to be free, fair and peaceful, and that the result reflects the will of the people. We are concerned about the levels of political violence in the country. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr. McCartney), stressed to political leaders and to the media, the importance of positive issue-based dialogue and campaigning to the exclusion of violence when he visited Dhaka on 22-23 November. Through the Department for International Development we are providing support to Bangladeshi non-governmental organisations working to promote non-violence, and issue-based campaigning. We have urged the political parties to demonstrate leadership by publicly calling for peace and restraint.
	We take a close interest in preparations for elections and stand ready to help where we can. International observers will have an important role to play in validating the outcome of the elections.
	We fully support the efforts of the international partners including the UN, EU, the US National Democratic Institute, and the Commonwealth to this end. The Commonwealth and the EU have both announced that they will send election observation missions to Bangladesh. The UK expects to participate in the EU observation mission.

Burma

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the statement by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari to the Security Council following his visit to Burma; what steps she is taking to support  (a) the release of political prisoners,  (b) humanitarian access,  (c) a more inclusive political process and  (d) cessation of hostilities against ethnic minorities in Burma; and what representations she has made to (i) HM ambassador to the United Nations and (ii) foreign ministries overseas on securing a response from the Burmese Government to the concerns of the international community.

Ian McCartney: Ibrahim Gambari, UN Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, briefed the UN Security Council on 27 November about his visit to Burma. I also discussed the visit with Mr. Gambarion 15 November. We welcome the report of Mr. Gambari's visit and his continuing efforts to promote peaceful political change and the full respect for international human rights and humanitarian law in Burma. We agree with his assessment that the Government of Burma must show tangible progress on the issues of concern.
	Our permanent representative to the United Nations, Emyr Jones Parry, played a full and active part in the subsequent discussion in the UN Security Council on 27 November. Ambassador Jones Parry called for the release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi; unhindered access for humanitarian aid agencies; a credible and inclusive national convention process; the cessation of attacks on the Karen and other ethnic groups and co-operation with the International Labour Organisation.
	We shall continue to work with our partners in the Security Council, EU and the international community to persuade the Government of Burma to respond urgently to these concerns.

Civil Nuclear Power

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Governments of  (a) United Arab Emirates,  (b) Yemen,  (c) Turkey,  (d) Egypt,  (e) Morocco,  (f) Algeria and  (g) Saudi Arabia on the development of civil nuclear power generation.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the Governments referred to by my hon. Friend in regard to development of civil nuclear power generation. However, British Government officials are in regular contact on a broad range of energy issues with Governments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received on the discovery by a United Nations human rights team of a mass grave in an army camp in eastern Ituri district in the Democratic Republic of Congo; what steps the UK is taking to aid the military prosecutors in their investigations; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Our embassy in Kinshasa has been in touch with the MONUC, UN peacekeeping operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), team who are investigating the discovery of three mass graves in Ituri district, eastern DRC. Our mission in New York is also in touch with the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations. MONUC's investigations are at an early stage and ongoing.
	MONUC is providing logistical support to Congolese military prosecutors to aid their investigations. Two people have already been arrested in connection with these deaths. We will urge the Congolese political and military authorities to ensure that full investigations and prosecutions can be carried out.

Departmental Staff

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in encouraging applications for jobs in her Department from the widest possible range of backgrounds.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to employing a diverse workforce which fully reflects the society it serves. To achieve this, we have adopted a more extensive recruitment outreach strategy during 2006, which has included: attending large-scale national careers events; taking part in community business events; hosting an annual in-house careers open day; and operating a range of work experience schemes.
	This new strategy has lead to a substantial increase in applications at Bands Al (administrative assistant) and B3 (executive officer). Recruitment campaigns are staged throughout the year but recent recruitment statistics show that applications at both levels have more than doubled during the course of the period.
	
		
			   Applications received 
			  Al  
			 September 2005 632 
			 October 2006 1,351 
			   
			  B3  
			 January 2006 2,152 
			 October 2006 5,344 
		
	
	The FCO plans to build on this in 2007 by increasing the number of work experience places from 45 to 68 and by expanding the number of in-house careers events from one to three per year.

India

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had recently with the Indian High Commissioner on strengthening commercial, cultural and educational links between the United Kingdom and India; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in regular contact with the Indian High Commissioner and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed these and other issues with the Prime Minister of India and other Indian Government ministers during her visit to India in November and during the UK India summit in London in October.
	Commercial, cultural and educational links play a crucial role in maintaining and developing the bilateral relationship. Strengthening these links will also play a key role in pushing forward the economic growth of both the UK and India.

Indian Sub-continent

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many spouses and fiancé(e)s from each of the countries of the Indian sub continent were given entry clearance to the UK in each year between 2000 and 2005.

Kim Howells: The information requested by the hon. Member is set out in the following table. UKvisas cannot produce relevant statistics for 2000 and 2001 due to insufficient data from the UKvisas Central Referencing System.
	
		
			  Spouse and fiancé(e) visas issued between 2002 to 2005 in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal 
			  Calendar year  Wives  Husbands  Fiancé(e) 
			  India
			 2002 2,537 987 368 
			 2003 2,618 1,080 361 
			 2004 2,763 1,458 421 
			 2005 3,208 1,622 454 
			 
			  Pakistan
			 2002 3,766 3,005 254 
			 2003 5,046 3,647 162 
			 2004 4,897 3,412 217 
			 2005 5,121 3,487 245 
			 
			  Bangladesh
			 2002 1,565 1,063 6 
			 2003 1,859 1,225 6 
			 2004 1,114 721 4 
			 2005 2,129 1,525 26 
			 
			  Sri Lanka
			 2002 567 49 16 
			 2003 739 89 13 
			 2004 856 113 11 
			 2005 768 127 11 
			 
			  Nepal
			 2002 71 20 4 
			 2003 53 9 0 
			 2004 75 20 1 
			 2005 88 21 16 
			  Source:  2002-03 Central Referencing System 29 November 2006 2004-05 MSR screen on CRS

Kimberly Process Plenary Meeting

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether UK officials attended the recent Kimberly Process Plenary meeting; and what assessment she has made of the outcome of the meeting.

Ian McCartney: Botswana hosted this year's Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) plenary meeting on 6-9 November. Representatives from the 47 participants and observers from industry and civil society attended. The Manager of the Government Diamond Office (GDO), represented the UK. The GDO is a section within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	The principal outcomes of the Plenary were as follows:
	acceptance that there might be credible indications that Ghana had not complied with its Kimberly Process (KP) obligations. It must take immediate steps to ensure its internal controls are fully compliant. A report must be made to the KP Chair by 15 January 2007 on their progress in this, and a KP review mission will take place in Ghana by 28 February 2007 to assess the level of compliance of internal controls (Mali is not a participant in the KP);
	agreement to a request that Venezuela ask for a review visit from the Working Group on Monitoring by the end of 2006 to consider the level of compliance of internal controls; and
	election of India as Vice-Chair for 2007, becoming Chair in 2008.
	The Government consider that this was a very successful plenary meeting, which concluded in an optimistic atmosphere of strong co-operation between government, business and civil society. The decisions on Ghana and Venezuela demonstrate the seriousness with which the KPCS takes allegations of non-compliance and that we will work to address any problem areas.

Kosovo

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the decision by United Nations special envoy Martti Ahtisaari to delay his recommendations on Kosovo's future until after the Serbian elections; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, Geoff Hoon, released a statement, supporting United Nations Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's decision to present his proposals to the parties without delay after parliamentary elections in Serbia, shortly after that decision was announced. I will place a copy in the Library of the House and will also send a copy to the right hon. Member.

Maldives

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make representations to the Maldives authorities about the policing of peaceful protests; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answers my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr. McCartney) gave to the hon. Member for South West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 21 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 61-62W.

Marie-Therese Nlandu Mpolo-Nene

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports her Department has received on the treatment of Marie-Therese Nlandu Mpolo-Nene by the Congolese authorities.

Ian McCartney: We are concerned by the continued detention of Marie Therese Nlandu since her arreston charges of illegal possession of weapons on21 November and are actively seeking more information on her detention and treatment. Our ambassador in Kinshasa has spoken to the Interior Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo and advisers to President Kabila regarding her detention. We have already outlined our concerns over allegations that Mme Nlandu's human rights, particularly her access to legal representation, have not been respected. We understand that European partners have also raised their concerns.

Middle East

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) Palestinians and  (b) Israelis who have died since September 2006 as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Kim Howells: Between 1 September and 15 November, we have reports that 191 Palestinians and two Israelis were killed in conflict-related violence.

Middle East

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether her Department has held discussions within the EU on  (a) construction of the wall in the Palestine village of Al-Walajah and  (b) making representations to the Israeli Government.

Kim Howells: We have held no discussions withinthe EU on the construction of the barrier around Al-Walajah. We remain concerned at the routing of the barrier around Al-Walajah, just as we are concerned about the routing of the barrier elsewhere in the west bank. We, along with the EU, have stressed to the Israeli Government that the barrier should be built on or behind the green line, not on occupied territory.

Non-proliferation Conferences

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which international conferences relating to non-proliferation  (a) the UK and  (b) the European Communities have participated in the Caribbean since 2001.

Kim Howells: The UK has not participated in any major international conferences in the Caribbean relating to non-proliferation since 2001. However, UK officials have attended a number of regional meetings, seminars and workshops.
	We have consulted officials of the European Commission and the European Council Secretariat and they have informed us that they are not aware of any EU official representation at any conferences in the Caribbean relating to non-proliferation since 2001.

Non-proliferation Treaty

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2006,  Official Report, column 63W, on the non-proliferation treaty, if she will make it her policy to support Dr. Hans Blix's proposals calling for a world summit to discuss nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction as outlined in her report Weapons of Terror; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: While there is always scope to consider improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of multilateral fora, 2006 has seen significant improvements in the disarmament machinery. The UN Disarmament Commission met for the first time since 2003 and the Conference on Disarmament has seen some of the most constructive dialogue in recent years. More effort should be placed on encouraging these recent, positive developments. It is unclear what a further Summit could add and whether there would be more likelihood of agreed language on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues than was seen during the 2005 UN Millennium Review Summit or the 2005 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Rwanda

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the investigation by the Rwandan Government into France's relationship with Juvé nal Habyarimana's regime in Rwanda.

Ian McCartney: The Rwandan Government have set up an independent commission to examine France's role in the genocide of 1994. As the report of the commission has not yet been published, it is too early to comment on the findings and conclusions of the commission.

Six Party Talks

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the ongoing negotiations between China, the United States and Democratic People's Republic of Korea; and when she expects the Six Party Talks to resume.

Ian McCartney: The Chinese, US and North Korean Six Party Talks representatives held trilateral talks in Beijing on 26 November. China reaffirmed its desire to see the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, and called on all sides to use the opportunity of these meetings to deepen mutual understanding and create conditions for a return to the talks. The date of the talks is still under negotiation.
	The US are focusing on laying the groundwork for a productive next round of talks, including making concrete steps toward implementation of the September 2005 Joint Statement.

Somalia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the proposal by the African Union Peace and Security Council to the United Nations Security Council which seeks to deploy a training and protection mission for the Somalia transitional federal institutions; what discussions she has had with  (a) the British ambassador to the United Nations and  (b) others on the proposal; whether she supports the proposal; and what steps she is taking to promote peace and stability in Somalia.

Ian McCartney: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with the support of the African Union and the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, has proposed to the United Nations a peace support operation. The UK Mission to the United Nations is considering with partners on the Security Council how this might contribute to peace and stability in Somalia and encourage a resumption of dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government and the Union of Islamic Courts. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have discussed the situation with partners and regional interlocutors. Our mission in New York and our posts in the region are working actively to avert further conflict.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the breakdown of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers in Geneva on the future stability of Sri Lanka; what assessment she has made of the factors which led to the breakdown; and what steps the Government are taking to assist the peace process in Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: The failure of the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to make progress on the peace process in Geneva in October is a missed opportunity. While both sides recommitted themselves to the Ceasefire Agreement, hostilities continue and innocent civilians are too often the victims of the conflict. This continuing loss of life is tragic and unnecessary. We urge both sides to cease hostilities and to demonstrate their respect for the Ceasefire Agreement by their actions.
	We understand that the demand of the LTTE for the re-opening of the A9 road, closed by the Sri Lankan Government during recent hostilities, was a block to progress on this occasion. The A9 is the main north-south route on the island.
	We regularly discuss the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka, and when we are able to, with political representatives of the LTTE. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) accompanied by a senior official of the Northern Ireland Office, visited Sri Lanka from 14-16 November to talk with participants in the peace process, including the Sri Lankan Government, and the LTTE about the UK's experiences with Northern Ireland which we hope will be of help to Sri Lankans in the pursuit of peace.
	We continue to urge the parties to the conflict to create an atmosphere for constructive discussions to further the peace process. Negotiation is the only viable route to a sustainable resolution of the conflict. We maintain our close contact with and full support for the Norwegian Government and their facilitation of the peace process.

Sri Lanka

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with her European counterparts on securing a peaceful settlement in Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: As one of the Tokyo co-chairs, the EU has an important part to play in assisting Norway in its role as facilitator of the peace process. The EU has encouraged the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to meet their obligations under the Cease-Fire Agreement and to create an atmosphere for constructive discussions to further the peace process. In Brussels and Colombo, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have discussed the Sri Lankan conflict with EU partners and jointly with them made clear to both parties to the conflict, that the only viable way to a peaceful resolution of the conflict is for both sides to negotiate, with a view to working constructively towards a settlement that addresses the grievances and legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent statements by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on the ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: We do not agree with the view expressed in the recent statement by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabakharan, that the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement "has become defunct". We call on both sides to fulfil their existing commitments as restated by them in Geneva in October, to uphold the 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement and to demonstrate this by their actions. We fully support the work of Norwegian facilitators to achieve peace in Sri Lanka.

Departmental Staff

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many  (a) marketing officers,  (b) communications officers and  (c) press officers are employed in his Department; and what the total expenditure on communications for his Department was on (i) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (ii) other (A) press officers, (B) special advisers and (C) staff in the last year for which figures are available.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office press and communications office has three staff covering all aspects of communications for the Wales Office.These staff are members of the Government Communications Network which replaced Government Information and Communication Service (GIGS) in 2005. The total salary cost for these is £181,332.
	We have two special advisers who advise and support Ministers in accordance with the code of conduct for special advisers and both they and other staff spend some of their time on communications matters,but identifying that expenditure would entail disproportionate cost.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  how many parliamentary written questions his Office received in each parliamentary Session since 2001; and how many of these questions  (a) were not answered because of disproportionate cost,  (b) were not answered,  (c) received answers referring back to a previous answer (i) asked by the hon. Member and (ii) asked by another hon. Member and (d) were grouped together for answer;
	(2)  what target his Office has for the maximum acceptable amount of time to answer parliamentary written questions; and what percentage of parliamentary answers met that target in each parliamentary Session since 2001.

Peter Hain: This information could not be made available without incurring disproportionate costs.
	My Department targets answering ordinary written questions within five parliamentary sitting days of receipt of the question. Named days are answered on the date specified by the Member of Parliament tabling the question.

Recruitment Advertising

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department spent on recruitment advertising in each of the last three years.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has spent the following sums on recruitment advertising:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 (1)17,000 
			 (1) Just over, so far, in the current financial year.

Basra Air Station

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security of military and civilian personnel at Basra Air Station; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 28 November 2006
	We keep the threat to both our military and civilian personnel under continuous review and take all practical measures to ensure their safety and security wherever deployed throughout Iraq. Additional protection is—and will continue to be—provided as the operational situation requires.

Motorised Vehicle Patrols

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many patrols by motorised vehicles outside protected zones were undertaken by British service personnel in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan in each of the last 36 months.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 28 November 2006
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Trident

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often  (a) Devonport,  (b) Rosyth,  (c) Aldermaston,  (d) Faslane and  (e) each other site associated with Trident is decontaminated; what his most recent estimate is of the costs of decontamination for each site; and to which environmental standard decontamination cleans the site.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 November 2006
	Decontamination of whole sites is not needed nor routinely undertaken. Any instance requiring localised decontamination is dealt with as it arises. Standards of decontamination comply with the requirements of the regulators, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the MOD's Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator and Defence Ordnance Safety Group, and are conducted in accordance with the Radioactive Substances Act (RSA93) and Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR).
	Decontamination costs are included in the nuclear liabilities published in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts. A breakdown of the liabilities was provided in the answer my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary gave on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 778W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn).

Trident

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what options for the replacement of the Trident nuclear deterrent have been considered by his Department in the preparation of the forthcoming White Paper;
	(2)  what research  (a) is being carried out and  (b) has been commissioned by his Department into non-nuclear alternatives to the Trident nuclear deterrent.

Des Browne: holding answers 30 November 2006
	I refer the right hon. Member to the statement today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Troop Deployment (Northern Ireland)

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the UK's armed forces are on duty in Northern Ireland.

Adam Ingram: At the 15 November the number of armed forces personnel (Navy, Army and RAF) based in Northern Ireland on operational duties under Operation Banner was some 7,700.

Type 45 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has held with  (a) BAE Systems and  (b) VT Group on compensation for reducing the order for Type-45 Destroyers.

Adam Ingram: No decision has been taken to reduce the order of ships and no discussions have taken place with BAE Systems or the VT Group on this topic.

Audiology Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of patients in each health trust area in the Province who will receive digital hearing aids over the next 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The number of patients who will receive digital hearing aids over the next 12 months is estimated to be approximately 10,300(1).
	The breakdown by Board area is set out in the following table.
	(1) This estimate assumes that the factors affecting supply, demand, and fitting of digital hearing aids over the next12 months will be similar to those operating during the quarter ending 31 March 2006.
	
		
			  HSS Board  Approximate number for 12 month period 
			 EHSSB 4,464 
			 NHSSB 1,616 
			 SHSSB 2,232 
			 WHSSB 1,988 
			 Northern Ireland 10,300 
			  Notes: 1. Figures include information on new and existing clients fitted with a digital hearing aid during quarter ending 31 March 2006.  2. Figures do not include information on digital hearing aid replacements issued during the quarter to avoid possible double counting.

Blindness/Visual Impairment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services are available in the community to assist residents of North Down and Ards who are blind and visually impaired.

Paul Goggins: Services for residents of North Down and Ards who are blind or visually impaired are provided by the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust. People with a visual impairment are entitled to an assessment of need for packages of care including home help services.
	There are three rehabilitation workers and a social worker who provide assistance and support, as well asa community development worker employed as partof a Trust/ Royal National Institute for the Blind partnership focused on developing the capacity of local blind people play an active role in community life.
	During 2005-06, the community development worker worked with over 200 individuals, and provided information and advice to 70 organisations. More than 200 visually impaired people, who previously didn't avail of the sight support service, have been engaged.
	Blind and visually impaired people are encouraged to participate in a number of community activities. Computer training is provided and a number of writers' groups, women's groups, parent support groups, social groups and awareness raising groups have been established.

Children/Young People Strategy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to extend the Green Paper "Care Matters: Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care" to apply to Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: We endorse the general approach outlined in the Green Paper, which is currently out to consultation. However, it is essential that equivalent proposals for NI reflect need here. On this basis I have instructed DHSSPS officials to draft an NI equivalent paper in conjunction with other Departments and taking account of the views of other stakeholders. It is our intention that this paper will issue for public consultation before the end of January 2007.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services are provided for people with chronic fatigue syndrome on the NHS in the Province.

Paul Goggins: People presenting with chronic fatigue syndrome can expect to receive the full range of assessment, treatment and support services appropriate to their needs from within existing mental health services, community services and other programmes of care. While there are no specifically dedicated services for people presenting solely with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Southern, Northern and Western Health and Social Services Board areas. Eastern Health and Social Services Board employs a senior occupational therapist to work in collaboration with other services, providing clinical care for people experiencing problems.

DHL

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department paid to DHL in each financial year between 1997-98 and 2005-06.

Peter Hain: The Northern Ireland Office, excluding its Agencies and NDPBs, has paid the following to DHL in each financial year between 1997-98 and 2005-06:
	
		
			   DHL payments (£) 
			 1997-98 2,301 
			 1998-99 1,012 
			 1999-2000 1,534 
			 2000-01 1,108 
			 2001-02 1,383 
			 2002-03 1,119 
			 2003-04 503 
			 2004-05 (1)1,717 
			 2005-06 (1)4,980 
			 (1) Figures provided for 2004-05 and 2005-06 have been adjusted to exclude DHL costs in relation to the Parades Commission. The Commission's contract with DHL started in 2004-05 in order to distribute Commissioner's Packs and the issuing of Determinations to interested parties. The costs for this service in 2004-05 and 2005-06 were £2,833 and £14,531 respectively.

Elderly Care (Funding)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to change the charging system in Northern Ireland for long-term care for the elderly to avoid the family home of the elderly person concerned having to be sold.

Paul Goggins: There is no legal requirement for those entering long-term care to sell a family home to fund their care. Following an individual financial assessment to calculate how much each individual can afford to pay towards the cost of their care, it is entirely a matter for each individual and their advisors to decide how best to meet any charges. I am not proposing to change the charging system to totally exclude the value of a resident's family home from the assessment of each individual's resources.

Haemophiliacs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland how many haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland became infected with  (a) HIV and  (b) hepatitis C in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland who have become infected with  (a) HIV and  (b) hepatitis C in each of the last five years is not available.
	However, figures are available on HIV infected individuals and the probable route of their infection. Over the calendar years 2002 to 2006 (first three quarters) no individual newly diagnosed with HIV had their probable route of infection classed as being via blood/tissue transfer or blood factor.

Health Trusts (Meals)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by each health trust in the Province in each of the last five years on providing meals on their premises.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is set out in the following table. This includes the amounts spent on food and staff costs on the provision of meals, whether provided for patients or staff. These are gross costs which do not reflect any income received for these meals.
	
		
			  Cost of providing meals on trust premises 
			  £000 
			  Trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals HSS Trust 1,214 1,251 1,290 1,330 1,371 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 1,238 1,261 1,235 1,357 1,346 
			 Belfast City Hospital Trust 2,694 2,872 2,924 3,077 3,142 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 1,675 1,812 1,949 2,107 2,219 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust 1,611 1,680 1,763 1,829 1,984 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 582 596 595 619 646 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 2,242 2,274 2,323 2,487 2,682 
			 Foyle HSS Trust 387 399 411 439 418 
			 Green Park HSS Trust 1,108 1,126 982 976 990 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 2,018 2,038 2,082 2,161 2,211 
			 Mater Infirmorum HSS Trust 557 682 807 772 860 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 1,181 1,270 1,329 1,452 1,545 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 1,021 1,903 1,962 2,032 2,074 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals Trust 1,952 2,353 2,456 2,380 1,204 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 1,308 1,367 1,474 1,571 1,701 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 1,822 1,877 1,962 1,970 1,925 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 1,701 1,892 2,006 2,069 2,054 
			 United Hospitals HSS Trust 2,753 2,528 2,671 2,791 2,842

Health Trusts (Meals)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by each health trust in the Province in each of the last five years on importing food from outside Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Cost of importing food 
			  Trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Belfast City Hospital Trust n/a n/a n/a (1)1,450 (1)20,000 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Foyle HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Green Park HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Mater Infirmorum HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust n/a n/a n/a n/a (2)185,000 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals Trust 54,371 318,718 487,940 455,327 301,802 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 0 0 0 0 22,861 
			 United Hospitals HSS Trust (2)1,158 (2)1,037 (2)2,171 (2)4,693 (2)6,401 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) Figures are for kosher, hal-al and puree meals not available in Northern Ireland. (2) These figures are estimates for delivery of frozen meals from outside Northern Ireland.

INVEST Northern Ireland

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs INVEST Northern Ireland has created in Belfast, West in each year since April 2002.

Maria Eagle: Invest NI does not directly create jobs. It provides assistance for businesses to improve their competitive position, which in turn may lead to employment creation. The employment change in client businesses is measured on an annual basis and in terms of employment gains or losses. The employment gain in the financial year ended 31 March 2004 was 130; and for the financial year ended 31 March 2005 the gain was 202. This represents a total of 332. However these gains were offset by 737 job losses, resulting in a net employment change of -405 employees over the period.
	In addition, Invest NI assisted 418 business starts through the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme. These businesses are expected to create 543 new jobs (see Table).
	
		
			  Jobs created through the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme in Belfast, West, 2002-03 to 2005-06 
			  Financial year  New jobs 
			 2002-03 82 
			 2003-04 117 
			 2004-05 170 
			 2005-06 174 
			 Total 543

Local Government Reorganisation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the total estimated one-off restructuring costs are for the local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what  (a) central and  (b) regional funding the Government is providing to local councils to assist with the costs of the local government reorganisation;
	(3)  if the Government will publish the business case for local government reorganisation in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: Initial research by consultants to inform decisions in relation to the Review of Public Administration in Northern Ireland, which included the reform of local government, indicated that the costs associated with the reorganisation of local government would range between £47 million and £143 million.
	At this stage no additional funding has been provided by central government to local councils to assist with the costs of the local government organisation. I am, however, working closely with local government as Chair of the Local Government Taskforce, to develop a more detailed estimate of the costs associated with implementation of the Review of Public Administration's decisions in relation to local government. The business case being developed will be used by Government to inform decisions on any funding to be provided to local government to assist with implementation.
	Consideration will be given to the publication of the business case at a later date.

Mental Health and Learning Disability

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for setting up the Mental Health and Learning Disability Taskforce; to whom the taskforce will be accountable; what its terms of reference are; and what its membershipwill be.

Paul Goggins: The Inter-Departmental Taskforce on Mental Health and Learning Disability will be established early next year when the new director of Mental Health and Disability Services is appointed. The Task force will be chaired by the new directorfor Mental Health and Learning Disability with representation from relevant Government Departments, Health and Social Services and service users and carers and will, in the first instance, be accountable to me as the Minister of Health Social Services and Public Safety. The Taskforce will co-ordinate Government's response to the Bamford Review recommendations and oversee implementation.

MRSA

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what mechanisms are in place to monitor the compliance of health service staff with guidance for minimising MRSA;
	(2)  whether checks on health service facilities in relation to implementing guidance on minimising MRSA are carried out without prior warning.

Paul Goggins: It is the responsibility of each health and social services trust to make sure that it monitors performance including staff compliance with guidance for minimising MRSA. The main mechanism for the Department to monitor compliance with guidance for minimising MRSA is the annual reporting by trusts on the Infection Prevention and Control Controls Assurance Standard. Mandatory surveillance of the level of MRSA bacteraemias has been in place since 2002.
	The Department's "Changing the Culture" action plan of March 2006 on the prevention and control of health care-associated infections requires trusts to produce annual infection reduction plans. A key message of the action plan is that infection prevention and control is the responsibility of everyone concerned. Arrangements for a regional infection control manual, that will detail specific control measures for MRSA and provide a universal set of standards against which compliance might be measured, are also being considered.
	Announced or unannounced external checks on the implementation of guidance are not currently planned.
	Under the ward sisters' charter launched this October, ward sisters will encourage patients and visitors to monitor and report on standards of cleanliness.

Post Office Card Accounts

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will assess the merits of allowing the Social Security Agency and benefit recipients to retain Post Office card accounts as a regional facility.

David Hanson: The Post Office card account (POCA) operates as a UK service covering the Department of Work and Pensions, the Social Security Agency and others. It would not be commercially viable for the Social Security Agency to operate the POCA in isolation.

Rural Development

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason the Department of Regional Development (DRD) adopted a policy of 'presumption against growth in the countryside'; and what discussions the DRD have had with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on this policy.

David Cairns: Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 introduced a 'presumption against development' in the countryside, with exceptions. Its purpose is to better manage an accelerating trend of development in the countryside, particularly in the building of single dwellings, in the interests of protecting the environment and encouraging more sustainable rural development patterns, consistent with the Regional Development Strategy 2025.
	The Department for Regional Development held discussions with other Departments, including a number of meetings with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in the development of draft PPS 14.

Water NI Ltd.

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision has been made for funding performance related payments for the chief executive of the Water Service in 2006-07.

David Cairns: Performance related pay payments for the chief executive form part of the paybill of the Water Service which in 2006-07 is funded from the resource budget allocated to it, net of income from customers.

Water Pollution

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what penalties may be imposed when a new water company in Northern Ireland is found to have breached EU pollution guidelines.

David Cairns: With effect from 1 April 2007, the new Water Company will be subject to regulation under a range of environmental protection legislation which is—in the main—enforced by the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) of DoE which may issue warning letters, enforcement notices or, ultimately, seek prosecution, subject to the final decision of the Public Prosecution Service.
	For a limited period, it is proposed not to initiate criminal prosecutions under the Water (NI) Order 1999 where a pollution offence by the water company is solely attributable to the historic under-investment in the infrastructure but otherwise the penalties available to the Courts under that Order include fines up to a maximum of £20,000 and periods of imprisonment not exceeding two years.

2012 Olympics

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated financial contribution towards the 2012 Olympics is on London council tax.

Tessa Jowell: The contribution from the London council tax towards the cost of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games is £625 million as set out in the Governments' response to "A London Olympic Bid for 2012" (HC 268) Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Session 2002-03".
	The 2003 Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London provides for cost overruns to be met in a sharing arrangement to be agreed as appropriate between them. It makes no presumptions about the use of council tax. That is a matter for the Mayor.

2012 Olympics

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate the Government have made of their contingent liability arising from their commitment to underwrite the 2012 Olympic games; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 29 November 2006
	The present contingent liability is set out in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Annual Resource Accounts for 2005-06 which are in the House Library. Any revisions to the contingent liability will be published in the Department for Culture, Media and Sports Annual Resource Accounts for 2006-07. In the meantime discussions within Government on the appropriate level of contingency are continuing.

2012 Olympics

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what reports have been prepared by consultancy firms on the cost of the 2012 Olympics; which firm produced each report; when each report was produced; and what the cost to the Department was of each report.

Tessa Jowell: The following reports on the cost of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games have been produced by consultants:
	
		
			   Report  Consultants  Cost (£) 
			 2002 London Olympics 2012, Costs and Benefits ARUP 81,131 
			 2003 London 2012 Costs and Benefits PricewaterhouseCoopers 38,000 
			 2004 Olympic Cost Review PricewaterhouseCoopers 114,080 
			 Total — — 233,211 
		
	
	In addition to these projects KPMG were commissioned in October 2005 to provide advice on the cost of the Olympic Games. The cost is £1,017,593.

2012 Olympics

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what items of work her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) undertaken on estimating the cost of a London Olympic Games; what the cost of each project was; what the dates of each project were; and what estimate of costs for the Games was made by each item of work.

Tessa Jowell: The following projects were commissioned by DCMS to estimate the cost of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games:
	
		
			   Project  Consultants  Cost (£) 
			 2002 Costs and Benefits of the 2012 Olympic Games Arup 190,830 
			 2003 London 2012 Costs and Benefits PricewaterhouseCoopers 38,000 
			 2004 Olympic Cost Review PricewaterhouseCoopers 114,080 
			 2005-06 Olympic Cost Advice KPMG 1,017,593 
			 Total — — 1,360,503 
		
	
	The first three of these projects informedthe estimate of costs that was submitted to the International Olympic Committee in 2004 in the London 2012 Candidate File. This document is available on the London 2012 website. The work undertaken by KPMG will inform the Olympic Delivery Authority's corporate plan which will be published next year.

Art Exports

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has spent on administering the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			   Expenditure (£ million) 
			 1996-97 0.016 
			 1997-98 0.016 
			 1998-99 0.017 
			 1999-2000 0.018 
			 2000-01 0.020 
			 2001-02 0.020 
			 2002-03 (1)0.135 
			 2003-04 (1)0.213 
			 2004-05 (1)— 
			 (1 )In 2002-03 the method of calculation of administrative costs changed to include the cost of staff supporting the Committee. (2) Disaggregated figure not available. 
		
	
	From April 2005 the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council took over administration of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA). The administration costs are included within their overall Grant in Aid.

Art Provenance

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to require art institutions to check the legitimate provenance of items they propose to borrow from overseas for temporary exhibitions; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The immunity provided for in the Tribunals, Courts and Enquiries Bill will apply only to those items brought to the UK for public display in a temporary exhibition held at an approved museum or gallery. I will only approve those museums and galleries for the purpose of these provisions if they are able to satisfy me that they follow appropriate due diligence procedures, including checks of the provenance of items they propose to borrow. They will be expectedto follow the principles in Combating Illicit Trade:Due Diligence guidelines for museums, libraries and archives on collecting and borrowing cultural material, published by my Department.

Art Theft

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill on the ability of victims of art theft to recover their stolen property if the item is on loan to UK institutions for a temporary exhibition from overseas; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: I have considered the potential impact of the Tribunals, Court and Enforcement Bill on the ability of victims of art theft to recover their property carefully. Only the museums which I have approved will be able to arrange exhibitions of objects benefiting from the immunity provided for in the Bill. A museum can only expect to be approved if it follows appropriate due diligence procedures, including checks on the provenance of works of art it is planning to exhibit. These procedures will help to ensure that any item of dubious origin would be excluded from temporary exhibitions. Our museums are committed to ensuring that they do not exhibit stolen property, and I am confident that these provisions will not adversely affect victims of art theft.

Art Theft

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will assess the merits of requiring institutions borrowing art works from overseas for public temporary exhibitions in the UK to publish a list of those items in advance so as to enable victims of  (a) spoliation and  (b) art theft to make an assessment of whether such items are rightfully theirs; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: This is an issue we have looked at in framing our proposals on immunity from seizure in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill. The Bill has been introduced into the House of Lords and willbe subject to the usual parliamentary scrutiny. The Government will listen very carefully to all points made in the debates on these provisions and will consider whether they will achieve an appropriate balance between the interests of British museums and galleries and the interests of claimants to stolen property. We will be considering the merits of requiring museums and galleries to publish a list of the items they intend to borrow in advance of the exhibition.

Art Theft

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely effects of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill on the Government's commitment to right historic wrongs in terms of spoliation between 1938 and 1945; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Government remain committed to correcting the terrible injustices suffered by those who lost cultural objects at the hands of the Nazis. The immunity from seizure, proposed in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill will not apply to any works which are usually kept within the UK, or which are owned by someone ordinarily resident in the UK. Objects in the permanent collections of UK museums will be unaffected by the proposals in the Bill. Claims can still be made against them and referred to the Spoliation Advisory Panel at the request of the claimant. By contributing to the mobility of collections, immunity from seizure legislation can increase information available on the whereabouts of particular works of art, assisting claimants to make claims in the appropriate jurisdiction.

Art Theft

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many items have been identified as looted art by the Spoliation Advisory Panel since it was established; how many of these have been  (a) returned to their original owners and  (b) the subject of offers of compensation; what the (i) names and (ii) descriptions of these works of art are; and in which institutions they are held.

David Lammy: The Spoliation Advisory Panel has so far identified seven items as spoliated between 1933 and 1945. None of the items has thus far been returned to their original owners, though negotiations are under way to return one on a long term loan. Ex-gratia payments have been made in respect of six of the items.
	The items identified as spoliated and the institutions in which they are held are:
	"A View of Hampton Court Palace" by Jan Griffier the Elder, which is in the possession of the Tate;
	"Still Life" attributed to Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin. The painting is part of the Burrell Collection;
	The "Beneventan Missal" currently in the possession of the British Library; and
	The "Holy Family" by Niccolo dell'Abbate; "An Allegory on Poetic Inspiration with Mercury and Apollo", by Nicholas Blakey; "Virgin and Infant Christ, adored by St. Elizabeth and the Infant St. John" by Martin Johann Schmidt and"St. Dorothy with the Christ Child" by School of Martin Schoengauer are in the possession of the British Museum.
	Copies of the Panel's reports are available in the House of Commons Library and on the Department's website www.culture.gov.uk.

Arts and Sport Expenditure

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Government expenditure there was for  (a) the arts and  (b) sport in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) 2005-06; and what the percentage change was of each figure in real terms over that period.

David Lammy: The Department's accounts show£195 million spent on the arts and £52 million spent on sport in 1996-97 and £410 million spent on the arts and £117 million spent on sport in 2005-06.
	In real terms, this represented a 68.3 per cent. increase in spending on the arts and 81.0 per cent. in spending on sport during the period.

Departmental Staff

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many temporary employees were contracted to work for her Department in 2005-06; and what the total cost of such employees was in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 1997-98.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport employs temporary agency staff on the basis of a booking which can last from as little as one day to many months. The number of bookings in 2005-06 was 86 and the total cost was £1,147,515. In addition there were a total of 21 staff on fixed term appointments during the same year at a total cost of £1,255,379. We do not hold the equivalent information for 1997-98.

Digital Television

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the numbers of households that will qualify for assistance in switching over to digital television in each parliamentary constituency in Wales.

Shaun Woodward: Estimates of households in Wales qualifying for assistance:
	
		
			  Constituency  Total 
			 Aberavon 13,000 
			 Alyn and Deeside 9,000 
			 Blaenau Gwent 13,000 
			 Brecon and Radnorshire 10,000 
			 Bridgend 13,000 
			 Caernarfon 9,000 
			 Caerphilly 13,000 
			 Cardiff Central 8,000 
			 Cardiff North 11,000 
			 Cardiff South and Penarth 12,000 
			 Cardiff West 10,000 
			 Carmarthen East and Dinefwr 11,000 
			 Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire 10,000 
			 Ceredigion 10,000 
			 Clwyd South 10,000 
			 Clwyd West 12,000 
			 Conwy 11,000 
			 Cynon Valley 11,000 
			 Delyn 9,000 
			 Cower 12,000 
			 Islwyn 10,000 
			 Llanelli 14,000 
			 Meirionnydd Nant Conwy 6,000 
			 Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney 13,000 
			 Monmouth 11,000 
			 Montgomeryshire 7,000 
			 Neath 12,000 
			 Newport East 11,000 
			 Newport West 11,000 
			 Ogmore 12,000 
			 Pontypridd 11,000 
			 Preseli Pembrokeshire 11,000 
			 Rhondda 14,000 
			 Swansea East 13,000 
			 Swansea West 12,000 
			 Torfaen 12,000 
			 Vale of Clwyd 12,000 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 12,000 
			 Wrexham 9,000 
			 Ynys Mon 10,000 
			 Total 440,000 
			 1. Rounded to the nearest thousand.  2. Eligibility for help from the digital switchover help scheme will be by benefit unit rather than the whole household definition used by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Office to forecast future household growth.  3. The definition of a benefit unit is a couple and any dependent children. It excludes adults deemed to be non-dependents who, if eligible, will be able to claim assistance from the help scheme in their own right.

Renaissance in the Regions

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much each museum and gallery which has been allocated under Renaissance in the Regions has received.

David Lammy: As Renaissance is a regional programme, delivering funding across a number of activities and institutions, it is not possible to attribute spend to specific museums. Money is spent in a way that benefits groups of museums, including the Renaissance Hubs; grants to Subject Specialist Networks and through the Museum Development Fund.
	The majority of Renaissance funding goes directly to the network of Regional Museum Hubs. Each Hub is made up of four or more museums or museum services. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has encouraged Hub partners to take a joint approach to planning and delivering their work programmes through meaningful and productive partnerships. The following table shows funding allocated to each regional Hub since the programme began in 2002.
	
		
			  Renaissance hub funding 
			  £ 
			   Allocations  Total 
			  Hub  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2002-03 to 2005-06 
			 East Midlands 10,000 200,000 729,000 963,000 1,902,000 
			 East of England 10,000 220,000 720,000 1,214,000 2,164,000 
			 London 10,000 250,000 946,000 1,324,000 2,530,000 
			 North West 10,000 220,000 820,000 1,402,000 2,452,000 
			 South East 10,000 260,000 908,000 1,548,000 2,726,000 
			 Yorkshire 10,000 210,000 676,000 1,180,000 2,076,000 
			 North East 10,000 960,000 2,467,000 3,343,000 6,780,000 
			 South West 10,000 1,340,000 3,149,000 5,181,000 9,680,000 
			 West Midlands 10,000 1,420,000 3,410,000 5,420,000 10,260,000 
			 Total 90,000 5,080,000 13,825,000 21,575,000 40,570,000 
		
	
	41 museums/museum services make up the Hubs, working across over 190 sites:
	 East Midlands:
	Leicester Museums Service (lead partner)
	Derby Museums and Art Gallery
	Leicestershire Museums Service
	Lincolnshire Museums Service
	Nottingham City Museums and Galleries
	 East of England:
	Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service (lead partner)
	Colchester Museums
	Luton Museums Service
	Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge
	 London:
	Museum of London (lead partner)
	Geffrye Museum Trust
	Horniman Public Museum and Public Park Trust
	London's Transport Museum
	 North East:
	Tyne and Wear Museums (lead partner)
	Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum
	Hartlepool Museums
	The Bowes Museum, County Durham
	 North West:
	Manchester City Galleries (lead partner)
	Bolton Museum and Art Gallery
	Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
	Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Carlisle
	University of Manchester Museums and Galleries: Manchester
	Museum and Whitworth Gallery
	 South East:
	Hampshire County Museums Service (lead partner)
	Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
	Oxford University Museums
	The Royal Pavilion, Libraries and Museums, Brighton and Hove
	 South West:
	Bristol Museums and Art Gallery (lead partner)
	Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
	Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter
	Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
	Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth
	 West Midlands:
	Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (lead partner)
	Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry
	Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Telford
	Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent
	Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Renaissance in the Regions

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds her Department allocated for acquisitions by galleries outside London in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: There are no funds allocated specifically for acquisition by galleries outside London. This is because DCMS funded museums and galleries have—since 1992—been able to spend whatever proportion of their income they wish on acquisitions.

Sevso Treasure

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the government of  (a) Croatia,  (b) Hungary and  (c) the Lebanon on the provenance of the Sevso Treasure.

David Lammy: I have had no discussions with the Governments of Croatia or Lebanon on the provenance of the Sevso Treasure. My Department has received representations from representatives of the Hungarian Government in relation to the provenance of the Treasure.

Tate

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to be able to make a definitive statement on the future of the Tate.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no current plans to make a statement on the future of the Tate, which continues to capture the public's imagination and broaden understanding of British art from the sixteenth century to the present day, and of international modern and contemporary art.

Temporary Export Bars

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many temporary export bars were issued by Ministers in her Department in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			   Number of cases where a decision on the application for an export licence was deferred 
			 1997-98 15 
			 1998-99 17 
			 1999-2000 13 
			 2000-01 34 
			 2001-02 (1)30 
			 2002-03 23 
			 2003-04 9 
			 2004-05 25 
			 2005-06 17 
			 (1) Excludes one case where item was originally thought to meet the Waverley Criteria but was subsequently found to have been imported into the UK within the last 50 years.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister
	(1)  what the job title is of each staff member in his Department;
	(2)  how many full-time equivalent staff work  (a) in and  (b) for his Department;
	(3)  what post Mr. Robbie Bulluch holds in his Department;
	(4)  who his special advisers are; what the job title of each is; and who advises him on foreign affairs;
	(5)  for what reason Mr. Robbie Bulluch accompanied him on his official visit to Malaysia.

John Prescott: In an answer I gave to the hon. Member on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 72W, I notified the House that my Office employed 18 staff, including two special advisers. The Government publishes an annual list of Special Advisers to Ministers. My special advisers were included on the list published on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 86WS. My special advisers advise me on all aspects of the department's responsibilities in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
	I am also supported in my role by civil servants as appropriate. As is the case with other Government departments and in accordance with the principles of public accountability, the names of senior civil servants in my Office are included in a variety of publications including the Civil Service Yearbook. The release of information about more junior civil servants could undermine their ability to carry out their functions effectively and thus have a negative impact on the effective conduct of Government business. In addition to the staff in my Office, I receive support andbriefing from other Government Departments as necessary, according to the issue I am dealing with at the time.

Criminal Justice Regionalisation

David Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the possible effect on local criminal justice teams of the regionalisation of some services.

Harriet Harman: The decision to proceed with the restructuring of HMCS administrative areas was taken on the basis that it would not directly impact on the judiciary or criminal justice partners in the criminal justice system. The new area directors are committed to attending local criminal justice boards and aim to provide the same level of service. Where an area director is unable to attend a HMCS representative will act as a replacement with the authority to commit resources on behalf of the area director.

Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions she has had with colleagues on progress towards implementing the provisions of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 on restraining orders and injunctions.

Harriet Harman: I have had many discussions with ministerial colleagues both on the funding and implementation of s12 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004.

Public Appointments

Charles Hendry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which public appointments have been made by her Department to former Ministers who have served in the Government since May 1997.

Vera Baird: No such appointments have been made in the period in question.

A-levels

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in England gained  (a) three,  (b) four,  (c) five,  (d) six,  (e) seven,  (f) eight and  (g) nine A-levels in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the number of 16 to 18-year-old pupils in England who obtained the following numbers of GCE A level passes at gradesA to E:
	
		
			  GCE A-level 
			   Number of passes 
			   3 or more  4 or more  5 or more  6 or more  7 or more  8 or more  9 or more 
			 1997 136,470 48,283 3,484 68 3 0 0 
			 1998 142,794 53,741 3,900 113 18 7 2 
			 1999 144,109 56,097 4,080 87 1 0 0 
			 2000 143,698 58,276 4,150 106 4 1 0 
			 2001 144,698 60,319 4,682 91 3 1 1 
			 2002 150,562 50,791 4,279 114 3 0 0 
			 2003 155,839 50,711 4,151 147 5 1 1 
			 2004 159,234 52,471 4,412 167 4 0 0 
			 2005 163,701 54,010 4,551 150 11 3 0 
			 20061 169,689 55,797 5,269 237 15 1 0 
			  Note:  Data for 2006 is provisional. Data for all other years is final.

Citizenship Education

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the desired outcomes on pupil development are of the  (a) knowledge and understanding about becoming informed citizens,  (b) enquiry and communication and  (c) participation and responsible action sections of the citizenship curriculum.

Jim Knight: Citizenship Education, comprising of three themes; knowledge and understanding, enquiry and communication, and participation and responsible action, is designed to help young people developformal knowledge of how political processes work, understand their rights, duties and social and moral responsibilities, and take an active role in their neighbourhoods and communities.
	The Citizenship curriculum is designed to develop pupils' skills of enquiry, reflection and discussion, and encourages young people to learn to distinguish between facts and values so that they may make informed choices. It aims to give pupils an appreciation of how decisions are made, the value of bringing about change through negotiation and of resolving conflict fairly. It shows young people how they can play their part, make their voices heard and their actions count.

Citizenship Education

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many GCSE Citizenship examinations have been taken since its introduction.

Jim Knight: Three examination boards have offered a GCSE (short course) in Citizenship in each year since 2002. The number of 15-year-old pupils(1) entered for this qualification in each year since 2002 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils( 1)  attempting GCSE (Short Course) Citizenship 
			   Attempts 
			 2002 218 
			 2003 4,982 
			 2004 24,415 
			 2005 35,977 
			 2006(2) 51,062 
			 Total 116,654 
			 (1) Pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year ie 31 August. (2) Figures for 2006 are provisional. Figures for all other years are final. 
		
	
	The information that is readily available by the Department is for 15-year-olds or pupils at the end of Key Stage 4.

Departmental Expenditure

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department's average expenditure was per pupil for each school year group of compulsory schooling in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: holding answer 28 November2006
	The funding for schools that the Department distributes to local authorities is not allocated on a year group basis. The distribution of the Dedicated School Grant for 2006-07 was based on a single guaranteed unit of funding for each per three to 15-year-old pupil funded through the local authority. Prior to 2006-07, local authorities received funding for schools through Education Formula Spending Shares (EFSS) which were part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. Education FSS did separately differentiate funding between primary, including under fives and secondary pupils so a split of funding is available.
	The following table details the per pupil funding within 2005-06 EFSS plus all school-related revenue grants in cash terms:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Primary (pupils aged 3-10) 3,840 
			 Secondary (pupils aged 11-15) 4,730 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to nearest £10, includes pension transfer.

Education Funding

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what sources of public funding are available to schools in England; how much  (a) was available in financial year 2005-06 and  (b) is available in 2006-07 from each source; and for what purposes money from each source may be used.

Jim Knight: The available information is contained within the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   2005-06  2006-07 
			 Education Formula Spending(1,2) 25,277 — 
			 Dedicated Schools Grant(1,2) — 26,574 
			 Standards Fund 2,107 2,776 
			 Learning and Skills Council Funding for sixth forms (including pensions transfer) 1,760 1,846 
			 Schools Standards Grant (including personalisation) 903 1,217 
			 Budget Support Grant(3) 61 — 
			 Teacher Threshold and Performance Grant(4) 908 — 
			 Total revenue funding for schools 30,382 32,413 
			 LEA central functions block from Local Government Finance Settlement(2) 2,599 — 
			 (1) The 2005-06 figures are based on Education Formula Spending (EFS) which formed the education part of the Local Government Finance Settlement, plus various revenue grants. This was an assessment of the relative need of local authorities to fund education rather than what they spent. In 2006-07 funding for schools fundamentally changed with the introduction of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) which is based largely on an authority's previous spending. (2) The DSG has a different coverage to EFS. EFS comprised a schools budget and an LEA budget (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the schools budget. LEA budget items are still funded through the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Finance Settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. To provide comparability between the 2005-06 EFS and 2006-07 DSG, the funding for LEA central functions block have been removed from the EFS figure and identified separately. (3) The Budget Support Grant was only available for two-years and ceased after 2005-06. (4) Teacher Threshold and Performance Grant was merged into DSG in 2006-07.  Note: Figures may not sum to total due to rounding.

Educational Attainment

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in Stafford constituency achieved each grade in  (a) GCSE examinations and  (b) A Level examinations (i) in 2006 and (ii) in each year since 1996.

Jim Knight: The following tables give the provisional grade breakdowns across all subjects of the performance in GCSE and A Level subjects in 2006 for pupils attending schools or FE sector colleges in Stafford constituency. Equivalent figures for 1996 to 2005 can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Grade breakdown of GCSE entries of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4( 1)  in 2006( 2)  for pupils in Stafford constituency( 3) 
			   Number 
			 A* 303 
			 A 917 
			 B 1,970 
			 C 2,684 
			 D 2,001 
			 E 1,242 
			 F 598 
			 G 218 
			 U(4) 118 
			 X(5) 18 
			 Total entries 10,069 
			 (1) Pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in the 2005/06 academic year. (2) Includes attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years. 2006 data is provisional. (3) Pupils attending schools located in Stafford constituency. (4) Grade U refers to pupils who are ungraded or unclassified. (5) Grade X refers to pupils who were absent or results pending. 
		
	
	
		
			  Grade breakdown of A Level students in 2006( 1)  in Stafford constituency( 2) 
			   Number 
			 A 216 
			 B 316 
			 C 374 
			 D 318 
			 E 212 
			 U(3) 84 
			 Total entries 1,520 
			 (1) Includes attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years. 2006 data is provisional. (2) Pupils attending schools located in Stafford constituency. (3) Grade U refers to pupils who are ungraded or unclassified.

Excellence in Cities Programme

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was allocated to Loughborough constituency through the Excellence in Cities programme in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: Criteria for inclusion in the Excellence in Cities Programme were revised at the time of the "Primary Expansion" in September 2004. Funding was allocated to LAs based on the number of their primary schools with more than 35 per cent. FSM. Cobden primary school. Loughborough was identified as being above 35 per cent. FSM and Leicestershire local authority were, therefore, allocated a total of £31,165 for the financial year 2005-06.
	The final decisions on delegations to schools were made by LAs to ensure that local knowledge informed resource allocation. This means that EiC funding could have been shared with other schools, in order to achieve its maximum impact.
	In April 2006 EiC ceased to be a discreet, funded programme, but all previous EiC funding continues to be paid through local authorities as part of the School Development Grant (SDG).

Faith Schools

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many  (a) faith primary schools, broken down by faith and  (b) non-faith primary schools there are in each local education authority area.

Jim Knight: The information requested was published in SFR 38/2006 "Schools and Pupils in England: January 2006 (Final)". The relevant table is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Table 27: Maintained primary schools( 1) : Number of schools by religious character, January 2006, by local authority area and Government office region in England 
			Primary Schools 
			No religious character  Church of England  Roman Catholic  Methodist  Other Christian Faith( 2) 
			   England 11,228 4,456 1,708 26 52 
			   North East 672 100 158 0 0 
			 841 Darlington 20 6 4 0 0 
			 840 Durham 177 26 38 0 0 
			 390 Gateshead 55 2 18 0 0 
			 805 Hartlepool 20 4 6 0 0 
			 806 Middlesbrough 31 0 11 0 0 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 50 4 18 0 0 
			 392 North Tyneside 44 3 9 0 0 
			 929 Northumberland 93 35 10 0 0 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 38 2 7 0 0 
			 393 South Tyneside 36 6 11 0 0 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 41 9 12 0 0 
			 394 Sunderland 67 3 14 0 0 
			
			   North West 1,346 671 519 17 21 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 22 22 11 0 1 
			 890 Blackpool 18 4 8 0 0 
			 350 Bolton 53 29 16 0 1 
			 351 Bury 31 17 10 2 1 
			 875 Cheshire 185 70 25 0 0 
			 909 Cumbria 150 106 25 0 0 
			 876 Halton 31 8 13 0 0 
			 340 Knowsley 28 6 25 0 0 
			 888 Lancashire 191 172 104 9 11 
			 341 Liverpool 71 13 48 0 2 
			 352 Manchester 70 26 37 0 0 
			 353 Oldham 54 26 12 0 2 
			 354 Rochdale 40 18 14 0 1 
			 355 Salford 40 19 21 2 0 
			 343 Sefton 36 16 28 0 0 
			 342 St. Helens 26 11 17 1 1 
			 356 Stockport 65 11 15 0 0 
			 357 Tameside 44 18 12 1 0 
			 358 Trafford 50 8 15 0 0 
			 877 Warrington 39 18 14 0 0 
			 359 Wigan 34 41 29 2 1 
			 344 Wirral 68 12 20 0 0 
			
			   Yorkshire and the Humber 1,308 423 151 4 4 
			 370 Barnsley 63 14 5 0 0 
			 380 Bradford 112 27 20 0 0 
			 381 Calderdale 56 22 7 0 0 
			 371 Doncaster 84 9 10 0 0 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 84 44 5 0 0 
			 810 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 66 4 7 0 0 
			 382 Kirklees 95 48 8 0 0 
			 383 Leeds 156 39 29 0 0 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 51 6 2 0 0 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 45 17 4 0 1 
			 815 North Yorkshire 163 140 20 3 2 
			 372 Rotherham 85 12 7 0 0 
			 373 Sheffield 116 10 13 0 1 
			 384 Wakefield 94 20 9 1 0 
			 816 York 38 11 5 0 0 
			
			   East Midlands 1,149 470 79 1 9 
			 831 Derby 66 7 5 0 0 
			 830 Derbyshire 235 104 16 1 2 
			 856 Leicester 75 4 6 0 0 
			 855 Leicestershire 125 89 12 0 0 
			 925 Lincolnshire 163 112 7 0 4 
			 928 Northamptonshire 175 80 12 0 1 
			 892 Nottingham 82 3 8 0 0 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 223 60 12 0 2 
			 857 Rutland 5 11 1 0 0 
			
			   West Midlands 1,156 488 203 0 5 
			 330 Birmingham 221 23 54 0 2 
			 331 Coventry 58 8 19 0 0 
			 332 Dudley 64 13 5 0 0 
			 884 Herefordshire 42 38 3 0 0 
			 333 Sandwell 80 10 7 0 0 
			 893 Shropshire 58 82 3 0 0 
			 334 Solihull 45 13 9 0 0 
			 860 Staffordshire 173 98 33 0 2 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 48 11 12 0 0 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 45 11 4 0 1 
			 335 Walsall 68 13 9 0 0 
			 937 Warwickshire 103 71 22 0 0 
			 336 Wolverhampton 55 15 10 0 0 
			 885 Worcestershire 96 82 13 0 0 
			
			   East of England 1,433 526 100 0 4 
			 820 Bedfordshire 107 35 4 0 0 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 136 63 2 0 2 
			 881 Essex 329 118 26 0 1 
			 919 Hertfordshire 285 84 37 0 0 
			 821 Luton 50 1 6 0 0 
			 926 Norfolk 258 121 5 0 1 
			 874 Peterborough 45 11 2 0 0 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 32 1 4 0 0 
			 935 Suffolk 155 89 10 0 0 
			 883 Thurrock 36 3 4 0 0 
			
			   London 1,328 239 242 0 0 
			   Inner London 457 129 106 0 0 
			 202 Camden 20 13 8 0 0 
			 201 City of London 0 1 0 0 0 
			 204 Hackney 41 7 4 0 0 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 23 5 7 0 0 
			 309 Haringey 42 10 11 0 0 
			 206 Islington 29 9 7 0 0 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 12 7 7 0 0 
			 208 Lambeth 37 15 7 0 0 
			 209 Lewisham 48 10 11 0 0 
			 316 Newham 56 3 7 0 0 
			 210 Southwark 47 12 12 0 0 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 51 9 9 0 0 
			 212 Wandsworth 37 9 9 0 0 
			 213 Westminster 14 19 7 0 0 
			
			   Outer London 871 110 136 0 0 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 42 2 5 0 0 
			 302 Barnet 55 14 11 0 0 
			 303 Bexley 45 7 7 0 0 
			 304 Brent 40 5 11 0 0 
			 305 Bromley 61 8 8 0 0 
			 306 Croydon 72 7 11 0 0 
			 307 Ealing 53 3 8 0 0 
			 308 Enfield 49 12 5 0 0 
			 203 Greenwich 47 7 10 0 0 
			 310 Harrow 47 1 6 0 0 
			 311 Havering 55 2 8 0 0 
			 312 Hillingdon 52 6 6 0 0 
			 313 Hounslow 51 2 7 0 0 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 22 11 4 0 0 
			 315 Merton 32 5 6 0 0 
			 317 Redbridge 42 1 6 0 0 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 26 9 6 0 0 
			 319 Sutton 32 4 5 0 0 
			 320 Waltham Forest 48 4 6 0 0 
			
			   South East 1,704 814 166 3 3 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 21 7 2 0 0 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 41 8 7 0 0 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 117 61 7 0 0 
			 845 East Sussex 79 66 9 1 1 
			 850 Hampshire 304 115 14 0 0 
			 921 Isle of Wight 25 16 5 0 0 
			 886 Kent 280 161 27 2 0 
			 887 Medway 68 10 8 0 0 
			 826 Milton Keynes 77 9 5 0 0 
			 931 Oxfordshire 99 118 15 0 1 
			 851 Portsmouth 47 2 4 0 0 
			 870 Reading 29 4 4 0 0 
			 871 Slough 20 2 5 0 0 
			 852 Southampton 54 6 3 0 0 
			 936 Surrey 206 85 27 0 0 
			 869 West Berkshire 33 30 3 0 0 
			 938 West Sussex 149 77 15 0 1 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 21 21 4 0 0 
			 872 Wokingham 34 16 2 0 0 
			
			   South West 1,132 725 90 1 6 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 29 33 2 0 0 
			 837 Bournemouth 15 9 3 0 0 
			 801 Bristol, City of 93 13 12 0 0 
			 908 Cornwall 191 44 4 0 0 
			 878 Devon 196 112 9 0 1 
			 835 Dorset 50 79 8 0 0 
			 916 Gloucestershire 134 108 8 0 0 
			 420 Isles of Scilly 0 1 0 0 0 
			 802 North Somerset 34 27 3 0 1 
			 879 Plymouth 62 8 6 0 0 
			 836 Poole 23 4 2 0 0 
			 933 Somerset 100 113 8 1 1 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 58 31 6 0 1 
			 866 Swindon 55 7 5 0 0 
			 880 Torbay 19 9 4 0 0 
			 865 Wiltshire 73 127 10 0 2 
		
	
	
		
			Primary Schools 
			Jewish  Muslim  Sikh  Other  Total 
			   England 28 4 1 1 17,504 
			   North East 0 0 0 0 930 
			 841 Darlington 0 0 0 0 30 
			 840 Durham 0 0 0 0 241 
			 390 Gateshead 0 0 0 0 75 
			 805 Hartlepool 0 0 0 0 30 
			 806 Middlesbrough 0 0 0 0 42 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 0 0 0 0 72 
			 392 North Tyneside 0 0 0 0 56 
			 929 Northumberland 0 0 0 0 138 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 0 0 0 0 47 
			 393 South Tyneside 0 0 0 0 53 
			 808 Stockton-on-Tees 0 0 0 0 62 
			 394 Sunderland 0 0 0 0 84 
			
			   North West 7 0 0 0 2,581 
			 889 Blackburn with Darwen 0 0 0 0 56 
			 890 Blackpool 0 0 0 0 30 
			 350 Bolton 0 0 0 0 99 
			 351 Bury 2 0 0 0 63 
			 875 Cheshire 0 0 0 0 280 
			 909 Cumbria 0 0 0 0 281 
			 876 Halton 0 0 0 0 52 
			 340 Knowsley 0 0 0 0 59 
			 888 Lancashire 0 0 0 0 487 
			 341 Liverpool 1 0 0 0 135 
			 352 Manchester 2 0 0 0 135 
			 353 Oldham 0 0 0 0 94 
			 354 Rochdale 0 0 0 0 73 
			 355 Salford 1 0 0 0 83 
			 343 Sefton 0 0 0 0 80 
			 342 St. Helens 0 0 0 0 56 
			 356 Stockport 1 0 0 0 92 
			 357 Tameside 0 0 0 0 75 
			 358 Trafford 0 0 0 0 73 
			 877 Warrington 0 0 0 0 71 
			 359 Wigan 0 0 0 0 107 
			 344 Wirral 0 0 0 0 100 
			
			   Yorkshire and the Humber 1 0 0 0 1,891 
			 370 Barnsley 0 0 0 0 82 
			 380 Bradford 0 0 0 0 159 
			 381 Calderdale 0 0 0 0 85 
			 371 Doncaster 0 0 0 0 103 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 133 
			 810 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 0 0 0 0 77 
			 382 Kirklees 0 0 0 0 151 
			 383 Leeds 1 0 0 0 225 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 0 0 0 0 59 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 0 0 0 0 67 
			 815 North Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 328 
			 372 Rotherham 0 0 0 0 104 
			 373 Sheffield 0 0 0 0 140 
			 384 Wakefield 0 0 0 0 124 
			 816 York 0 0 0 0 54 
			
			   East Midlands 0 0 0 0 1,708 
			 831 Derby 0 0 0 0 78 
			 830 Derbyshire 0 0 0 0 358 
			 856 Leicester 0 0 0 0 85 
			 855 Leicestershire 0 0 0 0 226 
			 925 Lincolnshire 0 0 0 0 286 
			 928 Northamptonshire 0 0 0 0 268 
			 892 Nottingham 0 0 0 0 93 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 0 0 0 0 297 
			 857 Rutland 0 0 0 0 17 
			
			   West Midlands 1 1 0 0 1,854 
			 330 Birmingham 1 1 0 0 302 
			 331 Coventry 0 0 0 0 85 
			 332 Dudley 0 0 0 0 82 
			 884 Herefordshire 0 0 0 0 83 
			 333 Sandwell 0 0 0 0 97 
			 893 Shropshire 0 0 0 0 143 
			 334 Solihull 0 0 0 0 67 
			 860 Staffordshire 0 0 0 0 306 
			 861 Stoke-on-Trent 0 0 0 0 71 
			 894 Telford and Wrekin 0 0 0 0 61 
			 335 Walsall 0 0 0 0 90 
			 937 Warwickshire 0 0 0 0 196 
			 336 Wolverhampton 0 0 0 0 80 
			 885 Worcestershire 0 0 0 0 191 
			
			   East of England 2 0 0 0 2,065 
			 820 Bedfordshire 0 0 0 0 146 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 0 0 0 0 203 
			 881 Essex 0 0 0 0 474 
			 919 Hertfordshire 2 0 0 0 408 
			 821 Luton 0 0 0 0 57 
			 926 Norfolk 0 0 0 0 385 
			 874 Peterborough 0 0 0 0 58 
			 882 Southend-on-Sea 0 0 0 0 37 
			 935 Suffolk 0 0 0 0 254 
			 883 Thurrock 0 0 0 0 43 
			
			   London 17 3 1 1 1,831 
			   Inner London 2 1 0 0 695 
			 202 Camden 0 0 0 0 41 
			 201 City of London 0 0 0 0 1 
			 204 Hackney 2 0 0 0 54 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 0 0 0 0 35 
			 309 Haringey 0 0 0 0 63 
			 206 Islington 0 0 0 0 45 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 0 0 0 0 26 
			 208 Lambeth 0 0 0 0 59 
			 209 Lewisham 0 0 0 0 69 
			 316 Newham 0 0 0 0 66 
			 210 Southwark 0 0 0 0 71 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 0 0 0 0 69 
			 212 Wandsworth 0 1 0 0 56 
			 213 Westminster 0 0 0 0 40 
			
			   Outer London 15 2 1 1 1,136 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 0 0 0 0 49 
			 302 Barnet 8 0 0 0 88 
			 303 Bexley 0 0 0 0 59 
			 304 Brent 3 2 0 0 61 
			 305 Bromley 0 0 0 0 77 
			 306 Croydon 0 0 0 1 91 
			 307 Ealing 0 0 0 0 64 
			 308 Enfield 1 0 0 0 67 
			 203 Greenwich 0 0 0 0 64 
			 310 Harrow 1 0 0 0 55 
			 311 Havering 0 0 0 0 65 
			 312 Hillingdon 0 0 1 0 65 
			 313 Hounslow 0 0 0 0 60 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 0 0 0 0 37 
			 315 Merton 0 0 0 0 43 
			 317 Redbridge 2 0 0 0 51 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 0 0 0 0 41 
			 319 Sutton 0 0 0 0 41 
			 320 Waltham Forest 0 0 0 0 58 
			
			   South East 0 0 0 0 2,690 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 0 0 0 0 30 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 0 0 0 0 56 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 0 0 0 0 185 
			 845 East Sussex 0 0 0 0 156 
			 850 Hampshire 0 0 0 0 433 
			 921 Isle of Wight 0 0 0 0 46 
			 886 Kent 0 0 0 0 470 
			 887 Medway 0 0 0 0 86 
			 826 Milton Keynes 0 0 0 0 91 
			 931 Oxfordshire 0 0 0 0 233 
			 851 Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 53 
			 870 Reading 0 0 0 0 37 
			 871 Slough 0 0 0 0 27 
			 852 Southampton 0 0 0 0 63 
			 936 Surrey 0 0 0 0 318 
			 869 West Berkshire 0 0 0 0 66 
			 938 West Sussex 0 0 0 0 242 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 0 0 0 0 46 
			 872 Wokingham 0 0 0 0 52 
			
			   South West 0 0 0 0 1,954 
			 800 Bath and North East Somerset 0 0 0 0 64 
			 837 Bournemouth 0 0 0 0 27 
			 801 Bristol, City of 0 0 0 0 118 
			 908 Cornwall 0 0 0 0 239 
			 878 Devon 0 0 0 0 318 
			 835 Dorset 0 0 0 0 137 
			 916 Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 250 
			 420 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 1 
			 802 North Somerset 0 0 0 0 65 
			 879 Plymouth 0 0 0 0 76 
			 836 Poole 0 0 0 0 29 
			 933 Somerset 0 0 0 0 223 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 96 
			 866 Swindon 0 0 0 0 67 
			 880 Torbay 0 0 0 0 32 
			 865 Wiltshire 0 0 0 0 212 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes schools of mixed denomination or other Christian beliefs.  Source: Schools Census and Edubase.

International Baccalaureate

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in England offer the International Baccalaureate; and how many did so in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2001.

Jim Knight: The available information is given in the table.
	The number of pupils following the International Baccalaureate in maintained secondary schools is only available from 2002 onwards.
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies: Number of schools with at least one pupil following an International Baccalaureate—position in January each year: 1997, 2001 and 2006—England 
			   Number of schools with at least one pupil following an International Baccalaureate 
			   Maintained secondary  City technology college  Academy 
			 1997 n/a 1 — 
			 2001 n/a 0 — 
			 2006 33 1 1 
			 n/a = not available '—'= not applicable  Source: Schools' Census

Primary Pupils

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were in primary school classes larger than 30 in  (a) the North West,  (b) Manchester City and  (c) Manchester, Gorton constituency on (i) 2 May 1997 and (ii) the most recent date for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The available information is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary schools: classes containing more than 30 pupils( 1, 2) , 1997 and 2006, position in January each year 
			  Number 
			   1997  2006 
			   Classes  Pupils  Classes  Pupils 
			 England 40,827 1,344,231 17,545 573,353 
			 North West Government Office Region 7,295 242,764 2,859 94,541 
			 Manchester Local Authority 318 10,615 135 4,683 
			 Manchester, Gorton Parliamentary Constituency 68 2,272 26 973 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) One teacher classes taught during a single selected period on the day of the census in January.  Source: Schools Census. 
		
	
	Information on class sizes is derived from Annual Schools' Census returns made by schools to the Department in January each year.

Residence Orders

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many residence orders were made in  (a) 2004 and  (b) 2005; how many have been made in 2006; and how many of these orders were made to a person other than the child's parent;
	(2)  how many special guardianship orders made since 30 December 2005 were made in  (a) private law proceedings,  (b) public law proceedings and  (c) adoption proceedings in (i) county courts and (ii) family proceedings courts;
	(3)  how many special guardianship orders have been  (a) applied for and  (b) made since 30 December 2005, broken down into region.

Harriet Harman: The number of residence orders made in;
	 (a) 2004 was 31,878
	 (b) 2005 was 26,523; and
	 (c) January to September 2006 is 19,517
	Statistical data on the number of orders made to a person who is not the child's parent is not collected and to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost.
	The number of special guardianship orders made since 30(th) December 2005 in (a) private law proceedings, (b) public law proceedings and (c) adoption proceedings in (i) county courts are contained in the table.
	The SGO data for Family Proceedings Courts is not available as to obtain it would incur disproportionate cost.
	The number of special guardianship orders  (a) applied for and  (b) made since 30 December 2005 broken down into region are contained in the table.
	
		
			  Special guardianship orders—January 2006 to October 2006 inclusive 
			   County courts 
			   Applications made  Orders made 
			  Government region  Private law  Public law  Adoption  Private Law  Public law  Adoption 
			 East Midlands 10 0 — 9 9 0 
			 Eastern 22 0 — 7 30 0 
			 London 30 0 — 16 47 1 
			 Merseyside 14 0 — 5 18 0 
			 North East 5 0 — 2 14 0 
			 North West 15 0 — 4 26 0 
			 South East 46 0 — 19 49 2 
			 South West 21 0 — 6 20 0 
			 Wales 19 0 — 12 8 2 
			 West Midlands 15 0 — 5 25 1 
			 Yorkshire and Number 15 0 — 4 15 3 
			 England and Wales 212 0 0 89 261 9 
			  Notes: 1. Figures exclude discharge of special guardianship orders. 2. Data for SGO applications made under county court adoption proceedings are not collected.  Source: FamilyMan via MIS, data as at 30 November 2006

School Meals

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many  (a) primary schools and  (b) secondary schools fall within each percentage point in terms of the proportion of pupils attending the school who are eligible for free school meals.

Jim Knight: The requested information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Maintained primary and secondary schools( 1) : number of schools by the percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
			  As at January 2006—England 
			   Number of schools 
			  Percentage of school population known to be eligible for free school meals( 2) :  Primary  Secondary 
			 0.0 to 0.9 1,186 55 
			 1.0 to 1.9 928 98 
			 2.0 to 2.9 989 155 
			 3.0 to 3.9 1,000 153 
			 4.0 to 4.9 953 204 
			 5.0 to 5.9 864 218 
			 6.0 to 6.9 767 204 
			 7.0 to 7.9 732 203 
			 8.0 to 8.9 663 138 
			 9.0 to 9.9 588 156 
			 10.0 to 10.9 524 148 
			 11.0 to 11.9 469 125 
			 12.0 to 12.9 431 127 
			 13.0 to 13.9 377 96 
			 14.0 to 14.9 348 86 
			 15.0 to 15.9 296 74 
			 16.0 to 16.9 285 66 
			 17.0 to 17.9 276 59 
			 18.0 to 18.9 278 62 
			 19.0 to 19.9 259 40 
			 20.0 to 20.9 279 85 
			 21.0 to 21.9 244 60 
			 22.0 to 22.9 247 53 
			 23.0 to 23.9 232 54 
			 24.0 to 24.9 208 44 
			 25.0 to 25.9 211 44 
			 26.0 to 26.9 192 47 
			 27.0 to 27.9 176 32 
			 28.0 to 28.9 193 34 
			 29.0 to 29.9 184 24 
			 30.0 to 30.9 185 26 
			 31.0 to 31.9 156 26 
			 32.0 to 32.9 169 20 
			 33.0 to 33.9 159 16 
			 34.0 to 34.9 154 26 
			 35.0 to 35.9 151 24 
			 36.0 to 36.9 142 23 
			 37.0 to 37.9 124 29 
			 38.0 to 38.9 135 19 
			 39.0 to 39.9 122 17 
			 40.0 to 40.9 138 13 
			 41.0 to 41.9 96 15 
			 42.0 to 42.9 106 16 
			 43.0 to 43.9 86 16 
			 44.0 to 44.9 96 5 
			 45.0 to 45.9 82 9 
			 46.0 to 46.9 83 7 
			 47.0 to 47.9 71 10 
			 48.0 to 48.9 60 4 
			 49.0 to 49.9 62 8 
			 50.0 to 50.9 78 13 
			 51.0 to 51.9 80 6 
			 52.0 to 52.9 60 12 
			 53.0 to 53.9 62 12 
			 54.0 to 54.9 57 6 
			 55.0 to 55.9 61 6 
			 56.0 to 56.9 43 5 
			 57.0 to 57.9 34 2 
			 58.0 to 58.9 25 3 
			 59.0 to 59.9 32 2 
			 60.0 to 60.9 31 2 
			 61.0 to 61.9 25 3 
			 62.0 to 62.9 19 3 
			 63.0 to 63.9 27 4 
			 64.0 to 64.9 19 3 
			 65.0 to 65.9 13 2 
			 66.0 to 66.9 9 2 
			 67.0 to 67.9 14 1 
			 68.0 to 68.9 10 0 
			 69.0 to 69.9 5 1 
			 70.0 to 70.9 6 1 
			 71.0 to 71.9 6 0 
			 72.0 to 72.9 3 0 
			 73.0 to 73.9 2 1 
			 74.0 to 74.9 3 1 
			 75.0 to 75.9 5 0 
			 76.0 to 76.9 5 0 
			 77.0 to 77.9 4 2 
			 78.0 to 78.9 4 1 
			 79.0 to 79.9 3 0 
			 80.0 to 80.9 0 0 
			 81.0 to 81.9 2 0 
			 82.0 to 82.9 0 0 
			 83.0 to 83.9 1 0 
			 84.0 to 84.9 0 0 
			 85.0 to 85.9 0 0 
			 86.0 to 86.9 0 0 
			 87.0 to 87.9 0 0 
			 88.0 to 88.9 0 0 
			 89.0 to 89.9 0 0 
			 90.0 to 90.9 0 0 
			 91.0 to 91.9 0 0 
			 92.0 to 92.9 0 0 
			 93.0 to 93.9 0 0 
			 94.0 to 94.9 0 0 
			 95.0 to 95.9 0 0 
			 96.0 to 96.9 0 0 
			 97.0 to 97.9 0 0 
			 98.0 to 98.9 0 0 
			 99.0 to 99.9 0 0 
			 100 0 0 
			 Total 17,504 3,367 
			 (1) Includes middle schools as deemed. (2) Includes full time pupils aged up to and including 15 and part time pupils aged five to 15 (inclusive). Includes dually registered pupils.  Source: School Census

School Staff (Redbridge)

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many  (a) teachers and  (b) teaching assistants were employed in (i) Redbridge and (ii) Waltham Forest in (A) 2005-06 and (B) each of the preceding five years.

Jim Knight: The following table provides the full-time equivalent number of teachers and teaching assistants employed in local authority maintained schools in Redbridge and Waltham Forest local authorities in each January from 2001 to 2006.
	
		
			  Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasionals) and teaching assistants in local authority maintained schools in Redbridge and Waltham Forest local authorities, January 2001 to 2006 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Redbridge   
			 Teachers(1) 2,370 2,380 2,470 2,510 2,470 2,650 
			 Teaching assistants(2) 450 580 620 730 820 910 
			
			  Waltham Forest   
			 Teachers(1) 1,940 2,020 1,940 2,080 2,120 2,170 
			 Teaching assistants(2) 490 610 640 670 780 760 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: (1) DfES annual survey of teachers in service and teacher vacancies, 618g. (2) Source: Annual School Census.

Schools Admissions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what factors he took into account when deciding that schools that select up to 10 per cent. of their intake by aptitude in permitted subjects will be exempt from the restriction on giving higher priority to siblings of existing pupils under paragraph 2.13 of the draft Schools Admissions Code; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The new School Admissions Code will establish a framework for school admissions that is fair to all families whatever their social group or background. Giving priority to siblings of children already at a school supports families, especially those with young children, but it also reduces the number of places available to children from other families, including those where the eldest child has yet to start school or where there is a gap of several years between children. This was recognised by the Education and Skills Select Committee in its 2004 report on Secondary School Admissions. While supporting the use of this criterion, the Committee was concerned that when used in schools with significant degrees of selection or where it did not take account of families that had since moved to another area, it would substantially reduce the number of places available to other families. The draft Code accordingly states that schools that select more than 10 per cent. of their intake by ability of aptitude should not use the criterion. This is not an absolute prohibition, schools may continue to use it if they can justify doing so, if an objection is made to the schools adjudicator.

State Boarding Schools

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places were available in state boarding schools in  (a) Oxfordshire and  (b) Wantage constituency in each year since 1976.

Jim Knight: Available data for Oxfordshire is presented in the following table. There are no state boarding schools in the Wantage constituency.
	
		
			   Headcount  Number of boarders 
			 1987 1,126 102 
			 1988 1,124 110 
			 1989 1,116 102 
			 1990 1,093 88 
			 1991 1,138 90 
			 1992 1,202 82 
			 1993 1,226 50 
			 1994 1,197 77 
			 1995 1,190 83 
			 1996 1,158 69 
			 1997 1,076 75 
			 1998 1,029 83 
			 1999 1,023 82 
			 2000 1,035 82 
			 2001 1,034 82 
			 2002 1,011 84 
			 2003 1,089 75 
			 2004 1,127 74 
			 2005 1,140 78 
			 2006 1,155 72 
			  Source: Annual Schools Census.

Tamworth (Higher Education)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people from Tamworth constituency applied to attend university in the UK in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Details of applicants by constituency are not held by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
	The figures in the following table give the latest information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on the number of undergraduate entrants from Tamworth; figures for 2005/06 will be available in January 2007.
	
		
			  Undergraduate entrants to higher education courses at all UK institutions from the parliamentary constituency of Tamworth 
			  Academic year  Number 
			 2000/01 745 
			 2001/02 795 
			 2002/03 675 
			 2003/04 785 
			 2004/05 715 
			  Note: Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and are rounded to the nearest 5.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Teacher Training

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students successfully completed post graduate teacher training qualifications in each year since 1997, broken down by sex.

Jim Knight: The following table provides data on students on post graduate teacher training programmes gaining qualified teacher status (QTS) by gender in academic years 1998/99 to 2004/05, the latest year for which data are available. Data for 1997/98 are not available in the format requested.
	
		
			  Primary and secondary post graduate teacher training students gaining QTS 
			   1998/99  1999/2000  2000/01  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05 
			 Female 10,890 10,630 11,860 12,400 13,930 15,430 15,710 
			 Male 4,280 4,210 4,290 4,540 5,250 6,030 6,070 
			 Total 15,160 14,850 16,150 16,940 19,180 21,460 21,780 
			  Notes:  1. Includes those trained through SCITTs, but excludes completers through employment based routes.  2. Figures are individually rounded to the nearest 10 and may not sum.  Source:  IDA performance profiles.

Teachers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers took early retirement in each year since 1997, broken down by  (a) sex and  (b) type of institution from which they retired.

Jim Knight: The following table provides the number of teachers who took early retirement, (defined as before the normal pension age of 60 on premature, actuarially reduced (ARB) or ill health grounds) in each year from 1997-98 to 2005-06 broken down by sex and type of institution.
	
		
			  Early retirements by type of institution( 1)  and sex, 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			   Maintained sector  Other sectors( 2)   
			  Financial year  Nursery/primary  Secondary  Special/PRU  Total maintained sector  Independent  Further and higher education  Unknown  Total all sectors 
			  1997-98( 3) 
			 Men 1,520 3,780 250 5,540 500 3,590 130 9,770 
			 Women 5,260 3,360 470 9,090 690 1,970 150 11,900 
			 Total 6,780 7,140 710 14,630 1,200 5,560 280 21,670 
			  1998-99 
			 Men 470 1,200 120 1,790 80 370 110 2,350 
			 Women 1,650 1,070 150 2,870 100 200 60 3,230 
			 Total 2,120 2,270 270 4,660 180 570 170 5,580 
			  1999-2000 
			 Men 510 1,390 90 1,990 70 350 70 2,470 
			 Women 1,740 1,100 140 2,980 120 230 70 3,390 
			 Total 2,250 2,490 240 4,970 180 580 130 5,870 
			  2000-01 
			 Men 700 1,480 130 2,310 90 500 50 2,940 
			 Women 2,050 1,260 200 3,500 170 330 60 4,060 
			 Total 2,740 2,730 330 5,800 260 830 110 7,000 
			  2001-02 
			 Men 610 1,530 110 2,250 140 620 60 3,060 
			 Women 1,970 1,400 240 3,610 230 390 50 4,290 
			 Total 2,580 2,930 350 5,860 370 1,010 110 7,350 
			  2002-03 
			 Men 630 1,550 110 2,280 150 690 60 3,180 
			 Women 2,050 1,450 210 3,710 250 460 80 4,490 
			 Total 2,680 2,990 320 5,990 400 1,150 130 7,670 
			  2003-04 
			 Men 680 1,890 110 2,680 170 620 80 3,550 
			 Women 2,270 1,660 210 4,130 230 410 120 4,890 
			 Total 2,940 3,540 320 6,810 400 1,030 200 8,440 
			 2004-05(4) 
			 Men 750 2,140 130 3,030 190 720 90 4,020 
			 Women 2,540 1,860 210 4,610 260 520 150 5,540 
			 Total 3,290 4,000 350 7,640 450 1,240 230 9,560 
			 2005-06(4) 
			 Men 730 2,370 120 3,220 240 750 120 4,320 
			 Women 2,640 2,010 260 4,900 350 540 160 5,950 
			 Total 3,370 4,370 380 8,120 590 1,290 270 10,270 
			 (1) The last known institution where the teacher was in teaching service which may have been some years before the date of retirement. (2) Including only those retirements from independent and further and higher education establishments covered under the Teachers(1) Pensions Scheme. (3) The effect of the change in the Teachers' Pensions Scheme, from 31 August 1997, was that many more teachers took early retirement in 1997 than in other years. Actuarially Reduced Benefits are included from 2000-01. (4) Data are provisional.   Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source:DfES, Pensioner statistical system.

York Students

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from City of York  (a) attended university courses and  (b) received student loans to attend university courses in each year since 1996/97.

Bill Rammell: The latest available data for York local authority for the academic years 1996/97 to 2005/06 are given in the table.
	
		
			  Academic year  Number of students( 1)  Students eligible for an income-contingent loan( 2) 
			 1996/97 3,515 n/a 
			 1997/98 3,570 n/a 
			 1998/99 3,755 n/a 
			 1999/2000 3,700 1,755 
			 2000/01 3,920 2,485 
			 2001/02 4,035 2,830 
			 2002/03 4,240 2,960 
			 2003/04 4,625 2,965 
			 2004/05 4,790 2,935 
			 2005/06 (provisional) n/a 3,020 
			 (1) Figures are for students domiciled in York local authority. They are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to the nearest 5. Figures cover students from part-time and full-time modes of study on undergraduate courses, they exclude students on writing up, sabbatical and dormant modes of study. (2) Figures are for students domiciled in York local authority and numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for student numbers and Student Loans Company (SLC) for students eligible for an income-contingent loan. 
		
	
	Data specifically on students receiving a loan are not available, therefore, numbers of applicants eligible for a loan have been provided. Numbers of students in receipt of a loan will be slightly lower than those applicants eligible for a loan.
	Figures for student numbers for 2005/06 will be available in January 2007.

York Students

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much government funding was provided to  (a) the University of York and  (b) University College of York St. John in each year since 1996/97 (i) in cash terms and (ii) at current prices.

Bill Rammell: The following table has details of the actual grant payments made to the two HEIs:  (a) the University of York and  (b) University College of York St. John. This only sets out funding provided by the Higher Education Funding Council and excludes any other public funding which the universities might have received in these years.
	
		
			  Institution totals by financial year 
			  FY  York University  York St. John University  Total 
			 1996-97 23,151,118 5,177,945 28,329,063 
			 1997-98 24,607,669 5,077,649 29,685,318 
			 1998-99 25,288,237 5,353,064 30,641,301 
			 1999-2000 29,466,696 6,369,623 35,836,319 
			 2000-01 29,745,118 7,138,239 36,883,357 
			 2001-02 37,299,021 7,513,155 44,812,176 
			 2002-03 38,975,653 11,676,118 50,651,771 
			 2003-04 47,480,474 8,691,070 56,171,544 
			 2004-05 50,790,659 11,151,782 61,942,441 
			 2005-06 52,554,437 10,703,760 63,258,197 
			 2006-07 50,351,626 13,667,819 64,019,445 
			 Total 409,710,708 92,520,224 502,230,932 
		
	
	The figures are the actual cash value of the grants received by the institutions in each year, the DfES do not hold this information at current prices.

Drugs

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) arrests and  (b) convictions of drugs dealers there were in London in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Arrests data for drug offences by offence type are not collected centrally. The available information relates to the number of persons found guilty or cautioned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 of unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply between 1997 and 2004.
	Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, police forces and other agencies. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
	
		
			  Number of persons found guilty of drug dealing( 1 ) offences, City of London and Metropolitan police force areas, 1997 to 2004 
			   City of London  Metropolitan 
			 1997 20 1,621 
			 1998 1 1,648 
			 1999 3 1,485 
			 2000 2 1,154 
			 2001 6 1,281 
			 2002 17 1,381 
			 2003 11 1,418 
			 2004 6 1,413 
			 (1) Unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply unlawfully. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons cautioned for drug dealing( 1)  offences, City of London and Metropolitan police force areas, 1997 to 2004 
			   City of London  Metropolitan 
			 1997 1 245 
			 1998 4 299 
			 1999 1 213 
			 2000 7 205 
			 2001 1 183 
			 2002 2 169 
			 2003 3 184 
			 2004 4 253 
			 (1 )Unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply unlawfully.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions since he has held his present office when he has used  (a) rail services,  (b) the London Underground,  (c) tram or light railway services and  (d) buses in connection with his ministerial duties.

John Reid: The Home Secretary has made 14 journeys by train in connection with his ministerial duties. He endeavours to use public transport wherever possible and practical to complete his journeys taking into account security considerations. All such travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in 'Travel by Ministers'.

Mobile Phones (Driving)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices were issued in Essex for using hand-held  (a) mobile telephones and  (b) other electronic devices when driving a motor vehicle in each year since the offence was introduced.

Vernon Coaker: Available information taken from the annual Home Office publication "Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales Supplementary tables", 2003 to 2004 (latest available) is given in the table. The data provided are unable to separately identify the use of hand held device or similar hand held devices while driving. 2005 data will be available in 2007.
	
		
			  Fixed penalty notices issued for the offence of use of hand held mobile phone while driving( 1,2 ) within Essex police force area, 2003-04 
			   Fixed penalty notices issued (number of offences) 
			 2003 — 
			 2004 2,461 
			 '—' = nil fixed penalty notices issued. (1) Offences under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Regulations 110 (1), 110 (2) and 110 (3). (Introduced 1 December 2003). (2) Includes hand held mobile phone or similar hand-held devices while driving.  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Organised Crime

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency of the potential for organised criminal gangs to extend their activities to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Vernon Coaker: The Serious Organised Crime Agency's current assessment of the threat to the UK from serious organised crime is contained within the 2006-07 UK Threat Assessment, which was published on 2 July 2006. The Threat Assessment focuses on the threat to the UK as a whole, rather than looking at specific UK geographical areas. However, new and emerging trends in organised crime are addressed within the Threat Assessment, where appropriate. The UK Threat Assessment is currently being updated for 2007-08 and publication is planned for spring 2007.

Prisoner Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have received funding to improve their education facilities in each of the last five years; how much each received; and on what the money was spent in each prison.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows education building projects funded by the National Offender Management Service since 2002. The date shown reflects the year when the facilities were ready for use. Where a value of £0 is shown, the project was completed but the expenditure included within another project.
	
		
			  Establishment  Project  Total (£) 
			  2002   
			 Low Newton Ready to Use (RTU) education ancillaries 141,720 
			 Drake Hall New education building(1) 1,482,715 
			 Thorn Cross New education building 229,448 
			 Stoke Heath New education building 815,715 
			 Brinsford New education block 921,739 
			 Lancaster Farms Extend education facilities 440,682 
			 Castington New education building 941,002 
			 Huntercombe New education building and extend workshop 917,000 
			
			  2003   
			 Lancaster Farms Education classrooms 390,187 
			 Hindley Separation: New education building and workshop 2,620,378 
			 Birmingham Education building and sports hall 4,336,149 
			 Reading Develop vocational training centre 374,360 
			 Gartree Training classroom for kitchen 0 
			 Deerbolt RTU education ancillaries 297,279 
			
			  2004   
			 Wetherby Additional education building 1,113,576 
			 Featherstone Learning pod for vocational training centre textile workshop 0 
			 Send Learning pod for workshop area 0 
			 Durham Assessment centre 620,270 
			 Hull Expansion scheme—education/kitchen/workshop 3,842,707 
			 Glen Parva Assessment centre 228,864 
			 Drake Hall Modular library 234,458 
			 Lewes Assessment centre 139,796 
			 Brinsford Horticultural classroom pod 0 
			 Swinfen Hall Basic skills pod for workshop area 0 
			 Swinfen Hall ITC classroom for library 0 
			 Featherstone Learning pod for cleaning course 0 
			 Eastwood Park Assessment centre and basic skills classroom, update library, kitchen classroom 156,500 
			 Spring Hill Horticultural learning pod 0 
			 Leyhill Modular library 111,000 
			 High Down Assessment and careers centre 272,433 
			 Swaleside Restructure and develop workshop area 291,090 
			 East Sutton Park Enhanced education facilities 410,820 
			 Downview Industrial cleaning pod 287,482 
			 Dartmoor 2 workshop pods 146,300 
			 Northallerton Induction and assessment facility 455,489 
			 Lancaster Upgrade library 0 
			 Wayland Kitchen learning pod 94,966 
			 Guys Marsh Library extension 288,121 
			 Latchmere House Library 147,836 
			 Erlestoke New vocational training kitchen 235,212 
			 Garth 4 classrooms in workshop 175,234 
			 Belmarsh Assessment centre 346,864 
			 Kirkham New library 0 
			 Bullwood Hall Horticultural pod classroom 471,417 
			 Haverigg Refurbish/extend library 2,717 
			 Manchester Kitchen learning pod 0 
			 Brinsford Extend activities centre 622,543 
			 Stocken Combined kitchen/PE classroom building 167,419 
			 Ashwell Pod for kitchen 139,000 
			 North Sea Camp Modular library 134,000 
			 Wellingborough Multi function learning are and teaching area for vocational training workshop 0 
			 Albany RTU ancillaries—education 1,240,230 
			 Liverpool Assessment centre 479,777 
			
			  2005   
			 Risley Provide modular classroom 148,028 
			 Maidstone New education facilities(1) 2,873,793 
			 New Hall New education facilities(1) 2,121,716 
			 Wymott Extend library 0 
			 Downview New education facilities(1) 564,592 
			 (1) As part of wider works at the prison—total cost includes all building/refurbishment work. The table excludes funding provided for improving or expanding educational facilities within prisons when additional accommodation is constructed. The amount spent for each prison on educational facilities is not held centrally. The DFES has also provided over £25 million capital funding over the last five years for improvements to education premises and training equipment for workshops and classrooms. Information on DFES expenditure for individual prisons is not held centrally.

Prisons

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women with a home address in Wales were  (a) held on remand and  (b) serving prison sentences on 23 November, broken down by (i) prison and (ii) age.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information closest to that requested is provided in the table.

Prisons

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the role of the Prison Service Fraud Investigation Unit is in the investigation of performance data submitted by prison establishments to area offices; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 4 December 2006
	The Prison Service Fraud Investigation Unit has no role in the investigation of performance data submitted by prison establishments to area offices. It is for the Prison Service Planning Group and Area Managers to take up issues relating to performance data.
	
		
			  Women prisoners with a home address( 1)  in Wales broken down by type of sentence and age as at 30 September 2006 
			   Remand / Trials / Convicted unsentenced prisoners  Sentenced prisoners  
			  Prison  Adult  Young offenders  Adult  Young offenders  Total 
			 Askham Grange 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Bronzefield 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Cookham Wood 0 0 1 0 1 
			 Downview 0 0 6 0 6 
			 Drake Hall 0 0 18 1 19 
			 East Sutton Park 0 0 2 0 2 
			 Eastwood Park 22 6 43 10 81 
			 Foston Hall 0 0 15 0 15 
			 Holloway 0 0 3 0 3 
			 Low Newton 0 0 1 1 2 
			 Morton Hall 0 0 1 0 1 
			 New Hall 0 0 2 1 3 
			 Peterborough 1 0 8 0 9 
			 Send 0 0 19 0 19 
			 Styal 4 3 8 5 20 
			 Total 27 9 129 18 183 
			 (1) In identifying prisoners with a Welsh home address, court addresses have been used where no home address has been provided.

Benefits (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk)

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) men and  (b) women in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituencywere in receipt of (i) disability living allowance and(ii) income support at (A) 30 December 2005,(B) 30 March 2006, (C) 30 June 2006 and (D)30 September 2006.

Anne McGuire: Information is not available for the dates requested. The available information after December 2005 is in the tables.
	
		
			  Disability living allowance claimants, cases in payment February to May 2006 in Berwickshire Roxborough and Selkirk 
			  Quarter  Total  Female  Male 
			 May 2006 4,260 2,090 2,170 
			 February 2006 4,250 2,090 2,160 
		
	
	
		
			  Income support claimants, February to May 2006 in Berwickshire Roxborough and Selkirk 
			  Quarter  Total  Female  Male 
			 May 2006 2,390 1,370 1,020 
			 February 2006 2,410 1,380 1,030 
			  Notes:  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10, breakdowns may not sum to totals.  2. Disability allowance shows cases in payment.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Departmental Expenditure

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the annual real growth of his Department's spending in each year from 2010-11 to 2020-21, assuming  (a) the basic state pension is linked to earnings from 2010,  (b) all other benefits are linked to the retail price index (RPI) and  (c) administration costs grow in line with the RPI; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The information is in the table.
	
		
			  Annual real growth in overall Department for Work and Pensions' spending from 2010-11 to 2020-21 
			   Percentage 
			 2010-11 to 2011-12 1.8 
			 2011-12 to 2012-13 2.0 
			 2012-13 to 2013-14 1.7 
			 2013-14 to 2014-15 1.7 
			 2014-15 to 2015-16 1.6 
			 2015-16 to 2016-17 1.7 
			 2016-17 to 2017-18 1.6 
			 2017-18 to 2018-19 1.7 
			 2018-19 to 2019-20 1.6 
			 2019-20 to 2020-21 1.7 
			  Notes:  1. Administration costs in the question have been interpreted to mean the total departmental expenditure limit (DEL), which includes administration, programme and capital expenditure. The latest DEL figures available relate to 2007-08, they have been grown by the retail price index and carried forward to future years.  2. The answer is based on combined AME and DEL expenditure.  3. The Department does not uprate all benefits, nor it's administration expenditure, in the way stipulated in the question and so the resultant answer bears no comparison to what actually happens.  4. The answer as it stands has been entirely constructed as a mathematical exercise.  5. Any potential impact from the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in 2007 has not been included. It is worth bearing in mind that during CSR 2007 the Department is being asked to take a 5 per cent. real terms cut per annum in it's departmental expenditure limit expenditure.  Source:  The answer has been based on existing long term projections of benefit expenditure, that is annually managed expenditure (AME), for Great Britain, adjusted to use the assumptions contained in the question.

Incapacity Benefit

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Redbridge and  (b) Waltham Forest are in receipt of incapacity benefit; and how many of these people have been in receipt of incapacity benefit for (i) up to one year, (ii) one to two years, (iii) two to five years and (iv) over five years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants in local authorities of Waltham Forest and Redbridge (up to May 2006) 
			  Local authority  All  Up to one year  One year and up to two years  Two years and up to five years  Five years and over 
			 Waltham Forest 10,110 1,580 940 2,300 5,290 
			 Redbridge 9,280 1,450 960 2,150 4,730 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals may not sum due to rounding.  Source: DWP Information Directorate

Industrial Injuries Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of industrial injuries benefits in each year since 1996-97; and what the projected costs are in each year up to 2008-09.

Jim Murphy: The available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Cost of industrial injuries benefits, Great Britain 
			  £ million—Cash Terms 
			   Industrial disablement benefits  Industrial death benefit  Other industrial injuries benefits 
			 1996-97 685 55 3 
			 1997-98 690 55 2 
			 1998-99 710 49 2 
			 1999-2000 700 52 2 
			 2000-01 708 49 2 
			 2001-02 727 49 2 
			 2002-03 733 48 2 
			 2003-04 737 46 1 
			 2004-05 754 43 1 
			 2005-06 754 41 1 
			 2006-07 752 38 1 
			 2007-08 756 35 1 
		
	
	
		
			  Cost of industrial injuries benefits, Great Britain 
			  £ millions—Real Terms, 2006-07 prices 
			   Industrial disablement benefits  Industrial death benefit  Other industrial injuries benefits 
			 1996-97 867 70 4 
			 1997-98 848 67 3 
			 1998-99 850 59 2 
			 1999-2000 822 61 2 
			 2000-01 821 57 2 
			 2001-02 823 55 2 
			 2002-03 804 53 2 
			 2003-04 787 49 1 
			 2004-05 788 45 1 
			 2005-06 772 42 1 
			 2006-07 752 38 1 
			 2007-08 737 34 1 
			  Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest million pounds. 2. All figures are consistent with the Budget 2006 report. 3. Figures for 1996-97 to 2004-05 are outcome figures, for 2005-06 estimated and for 2006-07 2007-08 planned.  Source:  DWP Expenditure tables (http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp)

Pensions

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions  (a) he and  (b) his officials have had with employer representatives on section 67 of the Pensions Act 1995 in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: There have been no meetings with employer representatives specifically to discuss section 67 of the Pensions Act 1995.
	In the White Paper Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system the Government announced a deregulatory review of occupational.
	The aim of the review is to make the private pensions regulatory framework simpler and less burdensome. An external advisory group has been established to assist with the review. The CBI are represented on this group and DWP officials attend the meetings. There have been three meetings of the group to date, and accrued rights is one of several issues that have been discussed.
	Nothing is ruled out of the review for consideration for change in the future, and nothing is ruled in, but it will need to strike a balance between protecting members' benefits and encouraging employer provision by lightening regulation.
	The Government have no plans to reduce benefits already earned in defined benefit pension schemes.

Care Homes

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's policy is on the standards of care provided by care home operators; and if she will make a statement

Ivan Lewis: The Department's requirements for the standards of care provided by care home operators are set out in the Care Homes Regulations 2001 and associated national minimum standards (NMS). Copies are available in the Library.
	Care homes in England are inspected and regulated by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) to ensure that they comply with the regulations. CSCI must take the NMS, which apply across the country and are intended to ensure consistency in the quality of services, into account when inspecting care homes and has a range of powers to ensure that: operators can be required to make any necessary improvements to the quality of services.

Corporate and Transactional Shared Services (Lancashire/Cumbria)

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who took the decision to introduce Corporate and Transactional Shared Services in Lancashire and Cumbria.

Rosie Winterton: The local strategic health authority, jointly with its commissioners, took the decision to introduce the clinical assessment and treatment service into Cumbria and Lancashire as a response to the needs of local health economy to invest in additional capacity and at the same time improve care pathways and value for money.

General Practitioner Patient Survey

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what provisions there will be to assess the particular requirements of deaf and hard of hearing patients in accessing NHS services as part of the GP patient survey "Your Doctor, Your Experience, Your Say";
	(2)  pursuant to the questions designed to assess whether patients can easily contact their general practitioner's practice in the forthcoming GP patient survey "Your Doctor, Your Experience, Your Say", what alternatives to telephone have been considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The general practitioner patient survey "Your Doctor, Your Experience, Your Say" has been developed by the Department to provide a nationally consistent tool for asking all patients for their views on primary care services at practice level. The initial survey will focus on patients' experience of access. Patients' responses will be used by primary care trusts to reward general practices against standards set out in the improved access scheme, which is part of the contract for general practices in 2006-07.
	This scheme is intended to incentivise improved access for all patients including those who are deaf and hard of hearing but includes no specific provisions relating to any particular group or category of patients. Accordingly, the questions have been designed to allow patients to report their experience of making contact with GPs using the most common methods such as by telephone or by visiting their practice.

Orphan Drugs

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response her Department has made to the March 2006 paper by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Appraising Orphan Drugs; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The report from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) specifically addressed the appraisal of ultra-orphan drugs for conditions with a prevalence of less than one in 50,000. We currently have no plans to ask NICE to establish a new appraisal system for such drugs. NICE already appraises orphan drugs, for conditions with a prevalence of less than five per 10,000, through its existing technology appraisal programme.

Physicians' Assistants

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the use of physicians' assistants was the subject of a pilot programme; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The physician assistant role has been subject to rigorous pilot programmes in primarycare in North East London and in secondary carein North West London. The pilot programmes have underpinned the development of a competence and curriculum framework.

Southampton General Hospital Trusts

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that Southampton residents who wish to be treated by the Southampton general hospital trusts will not need to travel to other hospitals for treatment.

Rosie Winterton: Current choice policy means that since 1 January 2006, eligible patients should be offered a choice of at least four providers, where clinically appropriate, where they need a referral for elective care. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning the choice options for their local communities and these may include national health service trusts, NHS foundation trusts, NHS or independent sector (IS) treatment centres and other IS providers. This would normally include the local district general hospital. PCTs are expected to engage with local communities and patient groups to inform the local menu of providers. This policy is likely to provide the right hon. Member with the assurance he is seeking.

Southampton Independent Sector Treatment Centre

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the local capacity and impact analysis for the proposed Southampton independent sector treatment centre was completed; and if she will publish the report;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the additional surgical capacity required in the Southampton primary care trust area over the next five years; and what proportion of this she expects to be provided by the proposed Southampton independent sector treatment centre.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of the NHS South Central, which includes the former Hampshire and Isle of Wight strategic health authority area, to plan surgical capacity, and develop the requirement for the independent sector treatment centre in Southampton.
	The Department is working on capacity mapping analyses of the proportion of elective care, by specialty, that will flow to all the providers in the health economy over five years but these are not ready at this stage.

Tuberculosis

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England were treated for TB in  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004 and  (c) 2005.

Caroline Flint: Tuberculosis case reports for England are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2003 6,741 
			 2004 7,049 
			 2005 7,846 
			  Source: Health Protection Agency enhanced tuberculosis surveillance system. www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/tb/epidemiology/table15.htm

Community Associations

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many community associations are  (a) formally registered and  (b) incorporated in each of the English regions.

Edward Miliband: I have been asked to reply.
	The Charity Commission, the independent registrar and regulator of charities, is responsible for the registration of community associations as charities. I have therefore asked the Commission's chief executive to write to the hon. Member and for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library for the reference of Members.

Council Tax

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average Band D council tax was in each local authority area in  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) England in each year since 2003-04.

Phil Woolas: The average area Band D council tax (in £) for each local authority area in  (a) the Yorkshire and the Humber region and  (b) England in each year since 2003-04 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Local authority  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Barnsley 1,045 1,104 1,162 1,219 
			 Bradford 1,016 1,061 1,105 1,151 
			 Calderdale 1,131 1,181 1,237 1,297 
			 Craven 1,127 1,199 1,254 1,309 
			 Doncaster 1,040 1,094 1,102 1,136 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire UA 1,109 1,183 1,241 1,302 
			 Hambleton 1,055 1,128 1,182 1,233 
			 Harrogate 1,145 1.224 1,279 1,335 
			 Kingston upon Hull UA 1,036 1,094 1,143 1,196 
			 Kirklees 1.089 1,134 1,190 1,250 
			 Leeds 985 1,040 1,086 1,136 
			 North East Lincolnshire UA 1,174 1,265 1,325 1,364 
			 North Lincolnshire UA 1,157 1,237 1,294 1,356 
			 Richmondshire 1,145 1,219 1,277 1,327 
			 Rotherham 1,085 1,143 1,200 1,259 
			 Ryedale 1,142 1,215 1,268 1,321 
			 Scarborough 1,141 1,222 1,277 1,332 
			 Selby 1,136 1,207 1,260 1,312 
			 Sheffield 1,155 1,216 1,274 1,333 
			 Wakefield 1,006 1,048 1,090 1,130 
			 York UA 988 1,078 1,127 1,182 
			 England 1,102 1,167 1,214 1,268 
		
	
	The data are collected on BR forms submitted annually by local authorities to Communities and Local Government and include, where applicable, the authorities own council tax plus council tax collected on behalf of precepting bodies such as county councils, fire authorities and police authorities.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many value for money exercises on the use of  (a) management consultants and  (b) professional advisers were conducted by her Department in each of the last five years for which information is available; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The Department has not instigated any consultancy specific value for money exercises in the last five years.
	The National Audit Office carries out value for money exercises and it has been conducting a study on central Government's use of consultants which is due to be published in December 2006. The Department worked with NAO on this study.

Departmental Travel

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what foreign visits have been undertaken by departmental staff on official business since 7 July 2006.

Angela Smith: Since 7 July 2006 there have been 133 foreign visits undertaken by Communities and Local Government staff the destinations included 122 to Europe (outside UK); eight visits to Far East; three visits to North America .

Departmental Travel

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost was of the visits abroad by staff in her Department in the last 12 months.

Angela Smith: The cost of the 519 trips abroad by staff in Communities and Local Government in the last 12 months is £197,992.

Elected Mayors

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what referendums have been held for elected mayors since the relevant provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 came into force; what the percentage turnout of the electorate was in each case; and what the percentage of those  (a) in favour and  (b) against a mayoral election was in each case.

Phil Woolas: The following tables show results of referendums.
	
		
			  Mayoral referendums 2001 to date 
			   Summary of results 
			 'YES' results 12 
			 'NO' results 22 
			 Total 34 
		
	
	
		
			  Detailed breakdown 
			Result 
			  Date  Council  Yes  Percentage  No  Percentage  Turnout (%) 
			 7 June 2001 Berwick-upon-Tweed 3,617 26 10,212 74 64 
			 28 June 2001 Cheltenham 8,083 33 16,602 67 32 
			 28 June 2001 Gloucester 7,731 32 16,317 68 31 
			 12 July 2001 Watford 7,636 52 7,140 48 25 
			 20 September 2001 Doncaster 35,453 65 19,398 35 25 
			 4 October 2001 Kirklees 10,169 27 27,977 73 13 
			 11 October 2001 Sunderland 9,375 43 12,209 57 10 
			 18 October 2001 Brighton and Hove 22,724 38 37,214 62 32 
			 18 October 2001 Hartlepool 10,667 51 10,294 49 34 
			 18 October 2001 Lewisham 16,822 51 15,914 49 18 
			 18 October 2001 Middlesbrough 29,067 84 5,422 16 34 
			 18 October 2001 North Tyneside 30,262 58 22,296 42 36 
			 18 October 2001 Sedgefield 10,628 47 11,869 53 33 
			 8 November 2001 Redditch 7,250 44 9,198 56 28 
			 20 November 2001 Durham (City) 8,327 41 11,974 59 29 
			 6 December 2001 Harrow 17,502 43 23,554 57 26 
			 24 January 2002 Plymouth 29,559 41 42,811 59 40 
			 24 January 2002 Harlow 5,296 25 15,490 75 35 
			 31 January 2002 Newham 27,263 68 12,687 32 26 
			 31 January 2002 Southwark 6,054 31 13,217 69 11 
			 31 January 2002 West Devon 3,555 23 12,190 77 42 
			 31 January 2002 Shepway 11,357 44 14,438 56 36 
			 21 February 2002 Bedford 11,316 67 5,537 33 16 
			 2 May 2002 Hackney 24,697 70 10,547 30 32 
			 2 May 2002 Mansfield 8,973 55 7,350 45 21 
			 2 May 2002 Newcastle-under-Lyme 12,912 44 16,468 56 32 
			 2 May 2002 Oxford 14,692 44 18,686 56 34 
			 2 May 2002 Stoke on Trent 28,601 58 20,578 42 27 
			 1 October 2002 Corby 5,351 46 6,239 54 31 
			 12 December 2002 Ealing 9,454 45 11,655 55 10 
			 5 May 2005 Isle of Wight 28,786 44 37,097 56 62 
			 14 May 2005 Fenland 5,509 24 17,296 76 34 
			 14 July 2005 Torbay 18,074 55 14,682 45 32 
			 4 May 2006 Crewe and Nantwich 11,808 38 18,768 61 35

Emergency Response Times

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what fire brigade response times to emergency calls were for each fire service in each year since 2000.

Angela Smith: The available information covers primary fires (those involving property, or casualties, or attended by five or more appliances) attended by fire and rescue services. The figures are average response times in minutes, measured from the time that the call was received by fire control staff up to the time of arrival of the first appliance at the fire ground.
	
		
			  Average response times (minutes): England 
			  FRS area  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 England 6.29 6.28 6.39 6.62 6.77 6.98 
			 Avon 6.33 6.49 6.68 6.92 7.38 7.82 
			 Bedfordshire 6.60 7.11 6.93 6.73 7.19 6.97 
			 Berkshire 6.71 7.11 7.13 7.55 7.19 7.47 
			 Buckinghamshire 7.82 7.91 8.20 8.01 8.32 8.17 
			 Cambridgeshire 8.70 8.56 8.76 9.14 8.95 9.18 
			 Cheshire 6.43 6.85 6.73 6.90 7.20 7.30 
			 Cleveland 4.93 4.94 5.16 5.09 5.14 5.34 
			 Cornwall 9.20 8.97 9.77 9.79 9.92 9.53 
			 Cumbria 7.81 7.92 8.29 8.27 8.58 8.94 
			 Derbyshire 6.95 7.06 7.25 7.31 7.55 7.46 
			 Devon 6.65 6.61 6.94 6.83 8.01 8.10 
			 Dorset 7.21 6.93 7.18 6.73 7.08 7.42 
			 Durham 7.43 7.66 7.57 7.70 7.74 8.14 
			 East Sussex 6.65 6.16 6.59 6.70 6.52 6.54 
			 Essex 7.16 7.11 7.29 6.94 7.56 7.49 
			 Gloucestershire 8.55 8.52 8.38 8.51 9.15 8.55 
			 Hampshire 6.92 7.00 6.96 7.42 7.44 7.25 
			 Hereford and Worcester 7.88 8.11 8.50 8.30 8.32 9.01 
			 Hertfordshire 7.24 7.00 7.18 7.42 7.02 6.99 
			 Humberside 5.86 5.79 5.76 6.01 6.04 6.12 
			 Isle of Wight 6.95 7.60 7.23 7.21 7.24 6.57 
			 Kent 7.85 7.53 7.49 7.64 7.41 7.69 
			 Lancashire 5.69 5.87 6.28 6.74 6.62 6.54 
			 Leicestershire 6.53 6.68 6.56 6.66 6.85 6.99 
			 Lincolnshire 8.96 8.71 9.47 9.79 9.88 9.92 
			 Norfolk 8.80 8.57 8.00 7.99 7.82 8.62 
			 North Yorkshire 7.78 7.74 7.90 8.39 8.58 8.54 
			 Northamptonshire 6.53 6.54 6.39 6.76 7.40 7.35 
			 Northumberland 7.24 7.47 7.62 8.00 8.13 8.59 
			 Nottinghamshire 5.94 5.94 5.94 6.44 6.30 6.61 
			 Oxfordshire 7.77 8.34 8.81 9.10 8.84 8.77 
			 Shropshire 7.85 8.82 8.52 8.91 8.08 8.22 
			 Somerset 7.80 8.04 8.70 8.30 9.24 9.49 
			 Staffordshire 111 7.50 7.64 7.69 8.28 8.33 
			 Suffolk 8.73 8.77 8.99 9.28 9.03 9.42 
			 Surrey 7.36 7.85 7.79 8.27 8.00 8.51 
			 Warwickshire 7.15 7.83 7.65 7.73 8.52 7.83 
			 West Sussex 7.53 7.49 7.48 8.00 8.23 8.76 
			 Wiltshire 8.45 9.35 7.85 8.85 8.81 9.39 
			 Isles of Scilly 7.00 8.00 7.00 9.00 9.50  
			 Greater Manchester 6.10 6.08 5.87 5.97 5.97 6.02 
			 Merseyside 5.28 5.41 5.51 5.69 5.83 6.17 
			 South Yorkshire 6.53 6.70 6.39 6.50 6.57 6.80 
			 Tyne and Wear 5.10 5.07 5.03 5.29 5.19 5.26 
			 West Midlands 5.24 5.28 5.32 5.56 6.00 5.97 
			 West Yorkshire 6.47 6.19 6.29 6.78 6.65 6.81 
			 Greater London 4.90 4.96 5.06 5.10 5.37 5.46 
			  Note: Excludes late calls and incidents not recorded during strike periods in 2002 and 2003.  Source: FDR1 returns from fire and rescue services to the Department for Communities and Local Government

Firefighters' Pension Scheme

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of likely savings to public expenditure arising from the changes announced to firefighters' pensions announced on 8 September 2005, for each year from 2006-07 to 2030-31; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The annual savings for fire and rescue authorities in England from reduced employer contributions will be 12.3 per cent. of pensionable pay for each employee who joins the new firefighters' pension scheme. The introduction of two-tier ill-health arrangements for members of the firefighters' pension scheme 1992 from April 2006 are estimated to save2 per cent. of pensionable pay. The estimated pensionable payroll is currently £910 million per annum.

Hostel Provision

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to reduce the requirement of a Meteorological Office forecast of zero degrees Celsius or lower for three consecutive nights for additional hostel provision.

Yvette Cooper: The commonly adopted trigger of zero degrees Celsius or lower for three consecutive nights, was proposed as a workable timescale in which to activate severe weather emergency provision (SWEP), following an informal consultation with local authorities and London voluntary agencies, as it provides enough time in which to open, staff and publicise the provision, as well as encourage clients to take up spaces.
	However local authorities are free to determine what trigger they use to activate severe weather emergency provision within their area.

Housing

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were registered for rehousing with each local authority in Tyne and Wear in each year since 2000.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 30 November 2006
	The number of households on the waiting list for social housing in each local authority in Tyne and Wear since 2000, as at 1 April each year, is tabled as follows:
	
		
			   Gateshead  Newcastle upon Tyne  North Tyneside  South Tyneside  Sunderland  Tyne and Wear 
			 2000 4,700 4,400 3,300 12,200 4,500 29,000 
			 2001 4,800 5,400 2,500 8,700 5,200 26,500 
			 2002 5,400 6,300 2,900 10,200 5,800 30,500 
			 2003 6,000 6,600 3,400 10,800 22,300 49,100 
			 2004 9,900 10,200 4,000 12,300 25,800 62,300 
			 2005 4,200 13,100 4,300 8,600 16,200 46,500 
			 2006 10,300 18,900 5,600 8,400 1,500 44,700 
			  Source: Communities and Local Government's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) return 
		
	
	The England totals may not equal to the sum of individual region's figures, due to rounding.
	Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.

Housing

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people are on housing waiting lists in England.

Yvette Cooper: The number of households on the waiting list for social housing in each local authority in England, as at 1 April 2006 was 1,634,301.
	Local authorities (LAs) in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where the local authority maintains a common waiting list with registered social landlords (RSLs) in their district, the list will also include households placed on the list by RSLs. Communities and Local Government does not collect information on households on individual RSL waiting lists.
	Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.

Housing

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many right to buy  (a) applications and  (b) sales there were in Yorkshire and Humberside in each year since 1980.

Yvette Cooper: The numbers of right-to-buy sales and applications can be found on the Department or Communities and local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/383/Table648_id1156383.xls
	Information on individual years is available from 1998-99 only.

Housing

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many applicants are registered on housing waiting lists in each local authority in the North West of England.

Yvette Cooper: The number of households on the waiting list for social housing in each local authority in the North West of England, as at 1 April 2006, is tabled as follows:
	
		
			  2006 
			  Local authority name  Number 
			 Allerdale 2,013 
			 Barrow-in-Furness 1,446 
			 Blackburn with Darwen DA 7,520 
			 Blackpool UA 2,706 
			 Bolton 21,422 
			 Burnley 1,376 
			 Bury 3,353 
			 Carlisle 3,976 
			 Chester 3,882 
			 Chorley 1,652 
			 Congleton 1,168 
			 Copeland 2,035 
			 Crewe and Nantwich 2,460 
			 Eden 1,043 
			 Ellesmere Port and Neston 1,297 
			 Fylde 3,600 
			 Halton UA 2,523 
			 Hyndburn 3,430 
			 Knowsley 3,075 
			 Lancaster 1,538 
			 Liverpool 12,924 
			 Macclesfield 3,133 
			 Manchester 16,994 
			 Oldham 7,520 
			 Pendle 1,572 
			 Preston 3,187 
			 Ribble Valley 891 
			 Rochdale 6,552 
			 Rossendale 2,947 
			 Salford 12,074 
			 Sefton 12,694 
			 South Lakeland 3,255 
			 South Ribble 1,474 
			 St. Helens 2,172 
			 Stockport 6,821 
			 Tameside 7,169 
			 Trafford 6,067 
			 Vale Royal 3,522 
			 Warrington UA 9,725 
			 West Lancashire 2,318 
			 Wigan 5,801 
			 Wirral 13,252 
			 Wyre 3,818 
			  Source: Communities and Local Government's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) return. 
		
	
	Local authorities (LAs) in England report the number of households on their housing waiting list as at 1 April in their annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix returns. Where the local authority maintains a common waiting list with registered social landlords (RSLs) in their district, the list will also include households placed on the list by RSLs. Communities and Local Government does not collect information on households on individual RSL waiting lists.
	Not everyone on the waiting list is necessarily in urgent housing need. The waiting list includes those who consider social housing as their preferred or one of a number of housing options, and those who decide to get onto the waiting list ladder before they need or want to move house—particularly where the priority system is heavily based on waiting time.

Housing

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding her Department has made available under the hostels improvement programme in  (a) the North West and  (b) Chester in each year since 2004-05.

Yvette Cooper: The Hostels Capital Improvement Programme has allocated funding to the North West as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   North West  Chester 
			 2004-05 109,000 — 
			 2005-06 3,189,000 110,000 
			 2006-07 3,390,000 — 
			 2007-08 1,283,000 — 
			 Total 7,971,000 110,000

Housing

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) average price of a home and  (b) average household income was in each higher tier local authority area in each of the last three years; and what the ratio of those two factors is for each local authority listed in descending order during that period.

Yvette Cooper: The average (median) price of a home in England and Wales by local authority level is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/160/Table586_idll56160.xls
	The average (median) weekly earnings in the UK by local authority area is available on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13101&Pos=l&ColRank=l&Rank=192
	Earnings data is collected by ONS in April each year. To maintain comparability with earnings, when calculating the ratio of median house prices to median earnings house price data from the first half of the year is used.
	Figures for median house prices, median earnings and the ratio between the two for England are presented in a table that has been placed in the Library.

Housing (Oxfordshire)

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of homes sold in  (a) Wantage constituency and  (b) Oxfordshire in each year since 1997 were sold to first time buyers.

Yvette Cooper: The total number of homes sold to first time buyers is not collected. Although data on all house sales in England and Wales are collected by the Land Registry there is no information collected on buyers.
	Information on mortgages to first time buyers and former owner occupiers for house purchases in the UK is collected by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This includes total number of loans to first time buyers and percentage of loans to first time buyers. This information is published on their website at:
	http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/filegrab/2ML2.xls?ref=4624.
	Information on mortgage sales at county or constituency level is not available.

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which information technology projects are being undertaken by  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated planned costs are of each; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: holding answer 23 November 2006
	IT projects undertaken by Communities and Local Government and its agencies are as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Communities and Local Government (including regional coordination unit and Government offices in the regions) 
			  Project  Start date  Original planned completion date  Expected completion date  Originally planned costs (£000)  Estimated planned costs (£000) 
			 FiReControl (regional fire control centres)(1) 2004 2009 2011 120,000 190,000 
			 FireLink(2) June 2002 December 2007 March 2009 350,000 350,000 
			 Fire Incident Recording System January 2006 December 2006 June 2007 1,300 2,100 
			 LogasNet Enhancements February 2006 January 2007 January 2007 700 700 
			 National Register of Social Housing November 2004 September 2006 December 2006 3,000 2,400 
			 Places Database and State of the Cities November 2005 June 2006 November 2006 800 1,100 
			 Transactional ERDF and State Aids March 2005 February 2006 December 2006 1,300 2,900 
			 Web Rationalisation December 2005 June 2008 December 2008 3,200 3,200 
			 ITSOP(3) February 2005 October 2006 June 2007 6,526 7,724 
			 DCLG Corporate Web Hosting June 2006 March 2007 March 2007 578 661 
			 Replacement Infrastructure for Peoplesoft HR System November 2006 May 2007 May 2007 537 537 
			 STEP UP—Upgrade to the departmental finance system September 2006 March 2007 March 2007 346 346 
			 eSourcing FASD (Zanzibar) June 2006 November 2006 November 2006 218 218 
			 Human Resources Database, further development April 2006 March 2007 March 2007 320 320 
			 Online Performance Management System, further development April 2006 March 2007 March 2007 149 149 
			 (1) The FiReControl project is principally a business change project with an IT component. (2) Firelink is a radio communications system project for the Fire and Rescue Service across Great Britain, with an element of IT. (3) ITSOP includes the outsourcing of IT services, the provision of a new desktop system, and the deployment of an electronic document and records management system to key users. 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Agencies of the Department 
			  Project  Start date  Original planned completion date  Expected completion date  Originally planned costs (£000)  Estimated planned costs (£000) 
			  Planning Inspectorate 
			 Fabasoft version 6 upgrade June 2006 December 2006 February 2007 375 375 
			   
			  Fire Service College 
			 FRS Managed Learning Environment January 2006 April 2007 June 2007 5,500 5,500 
		
	
	 QEII Conference Centre
	The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is not undertaking any information
	technology projects.
	All figures include VAT where applicable.

Local Government Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the results of bids for places on Round Six of the Arm's Length Management Organisation Programme will be announced.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 30 November 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 881-82W.

Local Government Restructuring

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what effect on subsequent local government financial settlements the rejection of unitary authority status in referendum will have in the area concerned.

Phil Woolas: The local government finance settlement for each year will reflect the authoritiesin existence for the period of the settlement. A referendum will not be required to ratify or approve a move to unitary local government.

Planning

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many appeals against  (a) retrospective local planning applications and  (b) local planning applications have been received by each local authority in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The following summary table shows the number of planning appeals received in England  (a) against retrospective planning applications and  (b) received in total in each to the last six years. Data on appeals received for retrospective applications is based on the appellant's description of the nature of the development and therefore has limitations. Tables giving detailed breakdowns of the numbers for each local planning authority for each year have today been placed in the Library of the House.
	
		
			  Number of appeals received against (a) retrospective planning applications and (b) total appeals received 2001 to 31 October 2006 
			   (a) Number of appeals received against retrospective applications  (b) Total appeals received 
			 2001 836 16,388 
			 2002 797 18,250 
			 2003 764 20,578 
			 2004 1,094 25,103 
			 2005 1,012 20,745 
			 2006 (1 January to 31 October) 975 19,464

Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much energy consumed by her Department is acquired from renewable sources.

Angela Smith: Renewable energy is obtained by Communities and Local Government by procuring electricity from renewable sources. For the year 2005-06 the amount of renewable energy used by the Department is as follows:
	
		
			   Renewable energy consumed (kWh) 
			 Headquarter buildings 12,538,297 
			 Agencies 6,624,649 
		
	
	These figures have yet to undergo independent verification and so must be regarded as provisional.
	This answer does not include the buildings occupied by Government offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Unitary Councils

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to set a minimum population for district authorities assuming unitary status.

Phil Woolas: We have no plans to set a minimum population for future unitary authorities. Effective local government capable of strategic leadership and the delivery of efficient and effective local services, is not dependent on size alone.
	However, the research report "Population size and Local Authority Performance" which we published alongside the White Paper, makes it clear that while the picture is complex, there is evidence for potential economies of scale to be realised by larger local authorities in the delivery of key county and district services.

Wharves

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what planning policy guidance her Department has issued which is applicable to wharves; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government have published two relevant statements of national planning policy which are applicable to wharves.
	"Planning Policy Guidance note 13: Transport" asks local authorities to promote the role of ports in sustainable distribution, by encouraging good access by rail, shipping and waterways as well as road where possible, and by promoting interchange facilities and wharves and harbours where viable. It also asks local authorities, when they prepare their development plans and when determining planning applications, to re-use disused wharves and basins, to retain boatyards and other services used in connection with water-based recreation, and to protect and enhance the waterway environment, where these are viable options.
	In the context of planning for minerals, "Minerals Policy Statement 1: Planning and Minerals" asks planning authorities to safeguard existing, planned and potential rail heads, wharfage and associated storage, handling and processing facilities for the bulk transport by rail, sea or inland waterways of minerals. Mineral planning authorities in two-tier planning areas are also asked to identify future sites to accommodate such facilities and reflect any allocations in local development documents. The policy advises that district councils in such areas should not normally permit other development proposals near such safeguarded sites where they might constrain future use for these purposes.

Departmental Websites

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the forecast costs are for maintaining websites within the Cabinet Office's responsibility in the 2006-07 financial year.

Patrick McFadden: The forecast cost for the 2006-07 financial year for Cabinet Office websites is £690,000 (including VAT). This includes:
	web hosting and infrastructure leasing;
	security auditing and software;
	domain name registration and renewal;
	application development and maintenance;
	software licences and renewals; and
	telecommunications rental and usage.
	The cost of maintaining Directgov, which covers services across government, for 2006-07 is forecast as £5,300,000.
	The figures shown are based on actual costs up to the end of October, and cost estimates for the remainder of the financial year. Final costs for 2006-07 will be available from April 2007.
	As the primary electronic channel to citizens for government, Directgov aims to be the one-place citizens turn to for the latest and widest range of public services. Directgov supports services on the web via www.direct.gov.uk, digital television (DTV) via Sky, ntl: and Telewest, and is available via mobile phones. Independent research has shown high-levels of customer satisfaction, far exceeding the average rating for a government on-line service and on a par with the commercial sector.

European and UK Law

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  by what mechanism draft UK legislation implementing European legislation is checked for gold plating; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  by what mechanism draft UK legislation is checked to verify whether it complies with European law; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Government's policy on implementing EU directives, and the procedures which Departments are required to follow, are contained in the Cabinet Office publication "Transposition Guide: how to implement European directives effectively". This guide states that it is Government policy not to go beyond the minimum requirements of EU directives, unless there are exceptional circumstances, justified by a cost-benefit analysis and extensive consultation with business. Instances of gold-plating must be explained in the Regulatory Impact Assessment and approved by the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. Furthermore, since March 2005, there has been a requirement that Transposition Notes, which accompany UK legislation enacting EU legislation when it is laid before Parliament, should include a statement on any over-implementation that is being proposed.
	The Transposition Guide will be updated in line with the relevant recommendations contained in the Davidson Report, published on 28 November 2006, in order to strengthen further mechanisms to avoid gold-plating.
	Copies of the Transposition Guide are available in the Library for the reference of Members. It is also available on the Cabinet Office's website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/documents/pdf/tpguide.pdf

Religious Buildings: Registration

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate she has made of the number of mosques that  (a) were and  (b) were not registered as (i) charities and (ii) trusts in each year since 2001.

Edward Miliband: I have been asked to reply 
	asthe Minister for the Third Sector. The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities, is responsible for deciding whether or not any particular mosque is eligible to register as a charity, and for keeping the register of charities. I have therefore asked the Commission's Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library for the reference of Members.

Retirement Age

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Government Departments have mandatory retirement ages.

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Government Departments have decided not to adopt the National Default Retirement Age for its civil servants.

Patrick McFadden: Responsibility for the setting of retirement ages for staff below the senior civil service is delegated to individual Departments under the Civil Service (Management Functions) Act 1992. The Cabinet Office does not maintain a central record of this information.
	Retirement age for members of the Senior Civil Service is not delegated to Departments to decide on and is 65, which is in line with the National Default.

V

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the salaries of the senior management at V are.

Edward Miliband: As an independent charity, senior management salaries are a matter for v's board and are governed by charity and company law.
	Details of senior management salaries will be included in v's annual report and accounts, which will be published in 2007.

Child Trust Fund

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children are eligible for child trust fund contributions; and how many trust funds have received contributions in each parliamentary constituency.

Edward Balls: All children who live in the UK and were born on or after 1 September 2002 are eligible for a Child Trust Fund account so long as they receive child benefit and are not subject to any immigration controls. This is around 680,000 children every year.
	Children in families receiving child tax credit, with a household income not greater than the child tax credit threshold of £14,155 for 2006-07 will receive an additional Government payment of £250 when the Child Trust Fund account is opened, and again at age seven when a further payment of £250 is made to all children. This applies to around a third of all eligible children.
	Information on contributions to Child Trust Fund accounts will be available next year.

Counterfeit Money

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many counterfeit  (a) sterling notes and  (b) euros have been seized (i) in the UK and (ii) elsewhere since January 2002; what (A) denomination and (B) sum value they were; and what their provenance was.

Edward Balls: A total of 1,640,000 counterfeit Bank of England banknotes were removed from circulation globally between 2002-05 with a total value of £28,695,000. Comprehensive data is not available for the provenance of the counterfeit notes. Data is not available for the number of counterfeits of sterling notes issued by those commercial banks permitted to issue notes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
	Between 2002 and June 2006 a total of 2,182,800 counterfeit euro banknotes with a total value of £117,487,191 euros were removed from circulation globally. This data is not broken down by member state. Comprehensive data is not available for the provenance of the counterfeit notes.
	The following tables give a breakdown by denomination and value for the above totals.
	
		
			  Euro counterfeits 
			   €5  €10  €20  €50  €100  €200  €500  Total 
			  Number of notes 
			 2002 1,039 3,108 14,845 136,133 10,307 1,525 161 167,118 
			 2003 3,209 5,335 149,518 314,846 54,575 14,026 950 542,459 
			 2004 6,128 22,305 155,551 271,681 114,183 20,369 4,006 594,223 
			 2005 5,790 34,740 126,960 341,820 40,670 20,370 8,650 579,000 
			 2006(1) 3,000 12,000 132,000 108,000 36,000 6,000 3,000 300,000 
			  
			  Value 
			 2002 5,195 31,080 296,900 6,806,650 1,030,700 305,000 80,500 8,556,025 
			 2003 16,045 53,350 2,990,360 15,742,300 5,457,500 2,805,200 475,000 27,539,755 
			 2004 30,640 223,050 3,111,020 13,584,050 11,418,300 4,073,800 2,003,000 34,443,860 
			 2005 28,950 347,400 2,539,200 17,091,000 4,067,000 4,074,000 4,325,000 32,472,550 
			 2006(1) 15,000 120,000 2,640,000 5,400,000 3,600,000 1,200,000 1,500,000 14,475,000 
			 (1) First six months. 
		
	
	
		
			  Sterling( 1)  counterfeits 
			   £5  £10  £20  £50  Total 
			  Number of notes  
			 2002 105,000 142,000 185,000 7,000 439,000 
			 2003 56,000 36,000 268,000 6,000 366,000 
			 2004 20,000 17,000 287,000 6,000 330,000 
			 2005 6,000 7,000 487,000 5,000 505,000 
			   
			  Value  
			 2002 525,000 1,420,000 3,700,000 350,000 5,995,000 
			 2003 280,000 360,000 5,360,000 300,000 6,300,000 
			 2004 100,000 170,000 5,740,000 300,000 6,310,000 
			 2005 30,000 70,000 9,740,000 250,000 10,090,000 
			 (1) These figures only relate to counterfeit Bank of England banknotes.

Debt

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) amount of unsecured personal debt,  (b) average amount of unsecured personal debt and  (c) average household disposable income was in each Government Office region in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Dennis Roberts, dated 4 December 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on unsecured personal debt and average household disposable income by Government Office Region each year since 1997.I am replying in her absence. (105805)
	The ONS published estimates of household income by regions and countries of the UK, but only publish levels of debt for the UK as a whole.
	Table A contains estimates of gross disposable household income (GDHI) per head of population by Government Office Regions.
	Table B contains the amount of unsecured personal debt and the average amount of unsecured personal debt for the UK.
	
		
			  Table A: gross disposable household income (£) per head of population( 1,2,3)  by Government office regions 
			   Gross disposable household income per head of population 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 North East 8,330 8,534 8,861 9,293 9,822 10,127 10,583 10,906 
			 North West 8,865 9,140 9,545 10,044 10,620 10,908 11,377 11,723 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 8,866 9,164 9,520 10,016 10,554 10,851 11,352 11,705 
			 East Midlands 8,900 9,161 9,515 10,032 10,670 11,009 11,554 11,918 
			 West Midlands 8,813 9,078 9,486 10,011 10,600 10,891 11,383 11,729 
			 East of England 10,234 10,554 11,053 11,729 12,549 12,964 13,525 13,889 
			 London 11,592 12,045 12,702 13,437 14,183 14,431 15,004 15,298 
			 South East 10,875 11,303 11,845 12,532 13,348 13,723 14,310 14,656 
			 South West 9,600 9,888 10,321 10,860 11,546 11,870 12,407 12,721 
			 Wales 8,428 8,628 8,980 9,479 10,096 10,437 10,924 11,278 
			 Scotland 9,096 9,325 9,683 10,215 10,840 11,225 11,763 12,116 
			 Northern Ireland 8,287 8,526 8,881 9,376 9,935 10,233 10,667 10,988 
			 United Kingdom 9,625 9,938 10,390 10,971 11,643 11,971 12,500 12,840 
			 (1) Gross disposable household income (GDHI) is the amount of money that households have available for spending or saving after deductions and expenditure associated with income, e.g. taxes and social contributions, and provision for future pension income. (2) The population measure is based upon mid-year estimates of total population. (3) Estimates are consistent with the national accounts series for the combined household and non-profit institutions serving households sectors as published in Blue Book 2005. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: unsecured personal debt and average unsecured personal debt for the UK 
			  Unsecured personal debt(1) (end-year) (£ million) Average unsecured personal Debt(2) (end-year) (£) 
			 1997 88,412 1,943 
			 1998 97,404 2,133 
			 1999 109,208 2,381 
			 2000 124,323 2,696 
			 2001 140,891 3,036 
			 2002 157,748 3,378 
			 2003 163,506 3,479 
			 2004 183,390 3,875 
			 2005 192,507 4,033 
			 (1) Unsecured personal debt is the sum of short term loans issued by monetary financial institutions in the United Kingdom and abroad. The data were published in the United Kingdom Economic Accounts table 64 published on 24 November 2006 available at the following address: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Productasp?vlnk=1904i&Pos=4&ColRank=l&Rank=422 (2) Average unsecured personal debt is calculated as debt per head. The population figure used to derive this is the population aged 16+ in the United Kingdom. These estimates are expressed in nominal terms that are not adjusted for the effects of general price inflation.

Departmental Gifts

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what each gift given by his Department in the 2005-06 financial year was; on what date each was given; what the estimated cost was of each gift; what the reason was for giving each gift; and who the recipient was of each.

John Healey: HM Treasury does not keep a central record of gifts given (if any) by the Department, therefore, this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Economic Statistics

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were in work in  (a) Great Britain,  (b) England and Wales,  (c) the north west,  (d) the city of Manchester and  (e) Manchester, Gorton constituency on (i) 2 May 1997 and (ii) the most recent date for which figures are available; and what the percentage change was in each figure over that period.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 December 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about employment. (106386)
	The Office for National Statistics compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey and the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions. Table 1, attached, shows numbers of employed persons in Great Britain, England and Wales, the North West, the City of Manchester and Manchester Gorton constituency, for the 12 months ending February 1997 and for the 12 months ending March 2006. Table 1 also shows the percentage increase in numbers employed in these areas between the two periods.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of persons aged 16 and over, in employment, resident in each area, and percentage change over time 
			  Thousands 
			   12 months ending  
			  Area  February 1997  March 2006  Percentage change 
			 Great Britain 25,355 27,371 8 
			 England and Wales 23,102 24,955 8 
			 North West 2,900 3,080 6 
			 Manchester 138 159 16 
			 Manchester, Gorton 24 25 1 
			  Note:  Estimates are subject to sampling variability. Changes over time should be treated with particular caution.  Source:  Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey

Fuel Duties

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department holds or administers a ring-fenced fund through which increases in fuel duties are spent on the modernisation of roads and public transport.

John Healey: The Chancellor's 1999 pre-Budget report (PBR) announced that decisions on the appropriate level of fuel duties, would be set on a Budget-by-Budget basis, taking account of the Government's economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental concerns.
	It was also announced that revenues from any real terms increases in fuel duties would, in future, go straight in to a ring-fenced fund for improving public transport and modernising the road network. Since then no such increases have been introduced, and fuel duty rates are now 16 per cent. lower in real terms than in 2000.

Import Duties

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation HM Revenue and Customs undertakes with UK manufacturers in advance of it changing a tariff heading on components imported from outside the EU for incorporation in UK manufactured products.

Dawn Primarolo: Tariff headings may be changed for different reasons. For example, following annual tariff nomenclature changes, publication of an EU regulation aimed at ensuring uniform classification within the EU or as the result of reconsideration of the classification of a particular product. HM Revenue and Customs consult with UK businesses where the impact of the change has been identified as significant and time permits or business expertise is sought to help determine the correct classification of a product. Consultation is generally through trade associations to obtain the views of a wide spectrum of the trade. An example of this is the consultation undertaken during the major review of the electronic tariff chapters for implementation in January 2007.

Import Duties

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that changes in import duty rates are not applied retrospectively when a tariff heading is changed by HM Revenue and Customs; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: When HM Revenue and Customs become aware that import duty paid is less than the amount of duty legally due they must apply the correct rate retrospectively in line with the legal provisions of the Community Customs Code. There are circumstances where the obligation to pay the additional duty may be suspended, for example where an successful application for remission of duty is made. Alternatively, importers may protect themselves from retrospective claims for duty by applying to HM Revenue and Customs for an advance ruling known as Binding Tariff Information (BTI). A BTI covers a specific product and is normally valid for six years. If HM Revenue and Customs change the tariff heading and the BTI is revoked the holder will be protected from a retrospective claim and may still rely on the BTI for up to six months where binding contracts for the purchase or sale of the goods have been concluded.

Ministerial Travel

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total mileage was for journeys in his official car in the last 12 months.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department for Transport (Dr. Ladyman) gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 12 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 718-19W, in respect of ministerial cars provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

Mortality Rates (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rate was of  (a) men and  (b) women in Tamworth in each year since 1991.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 December 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the mortality rate was of (a) men and(b) women in Tamworth in each year since 1991. (107022)
	Mortality rates for parliamentary constituencies which do not share boundaries exactly with a local authority can be calculated only from 2001 onwards. The table below provides the age-standardised mortality rate for (a) men and (b) women in Tamworth parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2004 (the latest available).
	The ward population estimates on which these mortality rates are based are experimental statistics—that is, statistics which are in a testing or consultation phase and are not fully developed—and the figures should therefore be treated with caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Age-standardised mortality rates( 1) , Tamworth parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 2,3) 
			  Deaths per 100,000 
			   Males  Females 
			 2001 952 633 
			 2002 902 622 
			 2003 818 612 
			 2004 734 594 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for deaths for all years shown. (3) The ward population estimates used to calculate these mortality rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year.

Mortality Rates (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) diagnosis and  (b) mortality rate was for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in each ward in Tamworth constituency in each of the last 15 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 4 December 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the (a) diagnosis and (b) mortality rate was for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in each ward in Tamworth constituency in each of the last 15 years. (107032)
	Figures on the incidence of chronic lung disease and coronary heart disease are not readily available. The numbers of deaths and cancer registrations per year in each ward in Tamworth parliamentary constituency are too small for the reliable calculation of rates. Mortality and incidence rates for parliamentary constituencies which do not share boundaries exactly with a local authority can be calculated only from 2001 onwards.
	The tables below provide (a) the age-standardised cancer incidence rate, and (b) the age-standardised mortality rates for (i) chronic lung disease, (ii) coronary heart disease and (iii) cancer in Tamworth parliamentary constituency for the years 2001 to 2004 (the latest available).
	The ward population estimates on which these rates are based are experimental statistics—that is, statistics which are in a testing or consultation phase and are not fully developed—and the figures should therefore be treated with caution.
	
		
			  Table 1: Age-standardised cancer incidence rates( 1,2) , Tamworth parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 3,4) 
			  Cases per 100,000 
			 2001 420 
			 2002 376 
			 2003 342 
			 2004 398 
			 (1) Age-standardised cancer registration rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1CD-10) codes C00-C97 excluding code C44: non-melanoma skin cancer. (3) Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for cancer registrations for all years shown. (4) The ward population estimates used to calculate the ward incidence rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Age-standardised mortality rates for chronic lung disease, coronary heart disease and cancer( 1,2) , Tamworth parliamentary constituency, 2001-04( 3,4) 
			  Deaths per 100,000 
			   Chronic lung disease  Coronary heart disease  Cancer 
			 2001 37 173 214 
			 2002 34 155 181 
			 2003 27 135 177 
			 2004 35 120 193 
			 (1) Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. (2) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes J40-J47 for chronic lung disease, 120-125 for coronary heart disease, and C00-C97 for cancer.  (3 )Using local authority ward boundaries as of 2005 for deaths for all years shown (4 )The ward population estimates used to calculate the ward mortality rates are experimental statistics, and are consistent with the published local authority mid-year estimates for the relevant year.

Mortality Rates (Tamworth)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the main causes of death were for  (a) men and  (b) women living in Tamworth constituency in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 4 December 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the main causes of death were for (a) men and (b) women living in Tamworth constituency in each of the last 10 years. I am replying in her absence. (107033)
	The tables below list the main causes of death for (a) males and (b) females in the years 1996 to 2005 (the latest year available) in Tamworth parliamentary constituency.
	
		
			  Table 1: Main causes of death( 1 ) classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), males, Tamworth parliamentary constituency( 2) , 1996 to 2000( 3) 
			   Years when this was a main cause of death for males  
			  Cause of death( 4)  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  ICD-9 code 
			 Acute but ill-defined cerebrovascular disease (stroke) * * * * * 436 
			 Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) * * * * * 410 
			 Aortic aneurysm (rupture of aortic artery) — — * — — 441 
			 Bronchopneumonia, organism unspecified * * * * * 485 
			 Chronic airways obstruction, not elsewhere classified * * * * * 496 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of colon — * — — — 153 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of prostate — — * — * 185 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of stomach — * — — — 151 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of trachea, bronchus and lung * * * * * 162 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) without specification of site * * * * * 199 
			 Other and ill-defined cerebrovascular disease — — — — * 437 
			 Other forms of chronic ischaemic heart disease * * * * * 414 
			 (1 )Causes of death which were recorded as the underlying cause in at least 10 male deaths registered in the year in question. These causes accounted for 51 per cent. of all male deaths in Tamworth constituency in 1996 to 2005. (2) Based on the boundaries of Tamworth parliamentary constituency as of 2005 for all years. (3) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1996 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for the years 2001 to 2005. (4) The words in brackets have been added for clarity and are not part of the International Classification of Diseases. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Main causes of death( 1 ) classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), males, Tamworth parliamentary constituency( 2) , 2001 to 2005( 3) 
			   Years when this was a main cause of death for males  
			  Cause of death( 4)  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  ICD-10 code 
			 Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) * * * * * I21 
			 Aortic aneurysm and dissection (rupture of aortic artery) * — * — — I71 
			 Chronic ischaemic heart disease * * * * * I25 
			 Heart failure * — * — * I50 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of bronchus and lung * * * * * C34 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of colon — — * — — C18 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of prostate *  * * * C61 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of stomach — — — * — C16 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) without specification of site * — — — — C80 
			 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease * * * * * J44 
			 Pneumonia, organism unspecified * * * * * J18 
			 Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction * * * * * I64 
			 (1 )Causes of death which were recorded as the underlying cause in at least 10 male deaths registered in the year in question. These causes accounted for 51 per cent. of all male deaths in Tamworth constituency in 1996 to 2005. (2) Based on the boundaries of Tamworth parliamentary constituency as of 2005 for all years. (3) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1996 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for the years 2001 to 2005. (4) The words in brackets have been added for clarity and are not part of the International Classification of Diseases. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Main causes of death( 1 ) classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), females, Tamworth parliamentary constituency( 2) , 1996 to 2000( 3) 
			   Years when this was a main cause of death for females  
			  Cause of death( 4)  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  ICD-9 code 
			 Acute but ill-defined cerebrovascular disease (stroke) * * * * * 436 
			 Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) * * * * * 410 
			 Bronchopneumonia, organism unspecified * * * * * 485 
			 Chronic airways obstruction, not elsewhere classified — * — * * 496 
			 Diabetes mellitus — * — — * 250 
			 Heart failure * * — * — 428 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of female breast * * * * * 174 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of trachea, bronchus and lung * * * * * 162 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) without specification of site * * — * * 199 
			 Other and ill-defined cerebrovascular disease — * * * — 437 
			 Other cerebral (brain) degenerations * — — — — 331 
			 Other forms of chronic ischaemic heart disease * * * * * 414 
			 Pneumonia, organism unspecified — — — — — 486 
			 Senility without mention of psychosis — — * — * 797 
			 (1 )Causes of death which were recorded as the underlying cause in at least 10 female deaths registered in the year in question. These causes accounted for 54 per cent. of all female deaths in Tamworth constituency in 1996 to 2005. (2) Based on the boundaries of Tamworth parliamentary constituency as of 2005 for all years. (3) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1996 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for the years 2001 to 2005. (4) The words in brackets have been added for clarity and are not part of the International Classification of Diseases. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Main causes of death( 1 ) classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), females, Tamworth parliamentary constituency( 2)  2001 to 2005( 3) 
			   Years when this was a main cause of death for females  
			  Cause of death( 4)  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  ICD-10 code 
			 Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) * * * * * I21 
			 Chronic ischaemic heart disease * * * * * I25 
			 Heart failure * * * * — I50 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of breast * * — * * C50 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of bronchus and lung * * * * * C34 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) of colon * — — — — C18 
			 Malignant neoplasm (cancer) without specification of site * * — * — C80 
			 Other cerebrovascular diseases * — * — * I67 
			 Other chronic obstructive pulmonary (lung) disease * * * * * J44 
			 Pneumonia, organism unspecified * * * * * J18 
			 Senility — * * * * R54 
			 Sequelae of cerebrovascular disease (effects of stroke) — — * — — I69 
			 Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction * * * * * I64 
			 Unspecified dementia * * * * * F03 
			 (1 )Causes of death which were recorded as the underlying cause in at least 10 female deaths registered in the year in question. These causes accounted for 54 per cent. of all female deaths in Tamworth constituency in 1996 to 2005. (2) Based on the boundaries of Tamworth parliamentary constituency as of 2005 for all years. (3) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1996 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for the years 2001 to 2005. (4) The words in brackets have been added for clarity and are not part of the International Classification of Diseases.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) charitable and  (b) independent bodies have been reclassified by the Office for National Statistics as non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.

Public/Private Forum on Identity Management

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the  (a) private sector and  (b) public sector organisations which the Public/Private Forum on Identity Management has consulted since its creation.

Stephen Timms: Members of the forum or staff supporting them have already consulted over 100 organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors. This includes companies and representative bodies across sectors such as banking, telecoms, travel and retail. Consultations with these and other contacts are will continue as the forum's work progresses. A full list of organisations and individuals consulted in the preparation of the forum's report will be included in the report. Any organisation or individual who wishes to make contact with the forum may do so through:
	identity.forum@hm-treasury.x.gsi.gov.uk

Terrorism

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assets have been frozen in relation to those suspected or convicted of terrorist activity in each year since 1997.

Edward Balls: Nearly 200 accounts and around half a million pounds of suspected terrorist funds have been frozen in the UK since 2001 when the UN's terrorist asset freezing regime was established. The Treasury does not publish a breakdown of frozen funds for each year, as that could potentially reveal information about individuals' assets. Freezing action also prevents the flow of funds to listed individuals and entities. Asset freezing is part of the Government's overall strategy to create a hostile environment for terrorism and safeguard financial systems. A value cannot easily be put on those wider effects.